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I CAN BE A REAL PRINCESS 







A UTTLE PRINCESS 



OF 

THE PATIO 

AILEEN CLEVELAND HIGGINS 

Author of '* 

“a LHtle Princess of Tonopah” 
“a Little Princess of the Pines” 



Illustrated by Ada C Williamson 


THE PENN PUBLISHING 
COMPANY PHILADELPHIA 
MCMXI 







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OOPYBIGHT 
1911 BY 
THE PENN 
PUBLISHING 
COMPANY 



©Ci.A2Sf>:! I d 


Introduction 


It was fortunate for Jean Kingsley that her 
father determined to give up a rather hum- 
drum easy life in a little middle-western town 
and seek a fortune in Nevada. He and Jean 
went to Tonopah, where they found a rather 
rough mining town which was nevertheless 
full of interest for Jean. She made the best 
of the hardships and learned how even a little 
girl can help others. Among her new friends 
there were Tubby, a messenger boy whom the 
Gold Eagle Man — Mr. Ned Osborne — sent 
to a military school, Onkel Max, an old mu- 
sician, Giacino, an Italian, and Beatrice, 
whom Jean meets again later. These and 
others appeared in A Little Princess of 
Tonopah.^' 

Mr. Kingsley at last struck it rich ” in 
Tonopah, and also acquired an interest in 
3 


4 


Introduction 


northern iron mines, which led to a delightful 
winter for Jean in Wahcaska-win Lodge on 
the shore of a Minnesota lake. The story of 
her school life there, with exciting outdoor 
sport and adventure is told in A Little 
Princess of the Pines. 

The scenes of the present story lie in 
sunny Mexico, which Jean and Tubby 
thought very strange at first, but learned 
to love in the end. A Little Princess of the 
Rio Grande will describe some of Jean’s ex- 
periences on a Texas ranch. 


Contents 


1. 

In the Patio 




9 

II. 

The Bouquet’s Mission 




29 

III. 

The Birthday Feast 




48 

IV. 

Felipe’s Request 




69 

V. 

The Rescue Party 




89 

VI. 

An Unexpected Visitor 




112 

VII. 

A Mountain Trip 




130 

VIII. 

A Neglected Fireplace 





IX. 

Jean’s New Year’s Reception 



171 

X. 

An Important Dinner 




183 

XL 

The Easter Drama . 




201 

XII. 

The Baseball Game . 




217 

XIII. 

A New Quest . 




240 

XIV. 

In Strange Guise 




259 

XV. 

The Flower-House . 




280 

XVI. 

The Coronation 




295 

XVII. 

Adios .... 




308 


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Illustrations 


PACE 

“ I Can be a Real Princess” . . . Frontispiece ^/ 

“ You ARE Just In Time ” . . . , 6 $^ 

The Three Children Were Startled . . 103 U 

She Slipped Toward THE Edge . . . 1411^ 

Groping Her Way Along the Wall . . 192*^ 

“ It Ought to Be Some Kind of Holiday” . 264 

They Climbed TO the Top . . . .291*^ 


a Little Princess of the Patio. 


7 



A Little Princess of the Patio 


CHAPTER I 

IN THE PATIO 

** I FEEL a good deal as if I were in a game 
of checkers/^ stated Tubby from his shady 
corner of the patio, where he sat watching 
Jean make a bouquet of gardenias, azaleas and 
violets. 

You mean that you feel like a checker 
yourself? So do I,'' responded Jean. “Just 
think of our being way down here in Orizaba 
— weVe made a big jump on the board, haven’t 
we ? We’re outside the United States — doesn’t 
it feel queer ? ” 

“ Yes, it does give a fellow a queer feelin’ 
when he thinks of bein’ over that red line in 
the geography. Sometimes I think I must be 
dreamin’.” 


9 


10 


A Little Princess of the Patio 

'' If you’d wake up you might be making 
snowballs in Minnesota this minute. Can you 
believe that there’s snow all over the ground 
up there, while we’re here with flowers and 
everything like summer?” 

I can believe ’most anything since I’ve 
been in Mexico. I never saw such a place 
for surprises. Why, what do you think I saw 
this morning ? A pack-train of three hundred 
mules,” said Tubby impressively. They 
were coming from some sugar hacienda, — now 
what’s the use of such a fancy name for a 
plantation ? — every mule was loaded with 
nearly a dozen sugar loaves wrapped up in 
burlap. The sugar loaves were shaped some- 
thing like a Mexican hat without the brim. 
I tell you those mules made it pretty lively in 
the streets for a while, ’specially in the places 
where there’s hardly room even for all the 
people to pass without jammin’ one another 
into the walls. I’m glad I was up early enough 
to see the sight, even if I did nearly get 
knocked over.” 


In the Patio 


1 1 


** Oh, I wish I’d been there ! ” exclaimed 
Jean, gratifyingly thrilled. “ But I saw a 
queer thing too. A little baby drinking 
black coffee — coffee as black as Father Dick 
drinks after dinner. The little tot wasn’t big 
enough to talk. I expected that it would get 
very sick, but it only smacked its lips for 
more. Then I found a beautiful bright green 
lizard in my flowers this morning. There’s 
always something new. Some of the things I 
see look as if they’ve jumped out of those odd 
packages and bundles we saw taken on board 
the ship at New Orleans. Don’t you remem- 
ber how we wanted to open everything and 
have a peep inside ? I wish we could have 
found out about those mysterious knobby 
looking packages covered with matting.” 

“ And the pink trunk, which was so swelled 
out at the top,” added Tubby, reminiscently. 
'' It was fun startin’ out for Mexico, wasn’t it? 
I’d like to do it all over again.” 

I’d rather stay here and see things. Don’t 
you like it here in Mexico, Tubby ? ” 


12 A Little Princess of the Patio 

** Some things I like and some things I 
don^t. I like havin^ a movin^ picture around 
me all the time — that part's like Tonopah and 
it's great, but I don't fancy the hard-as-a-rock 
pillows and what they have to eat here. My 
throat is about fried by the pepper and hot 
sauce they put into everything. I'd like their 
‘ tamales ' if it just wasn't for the double sea- 
sonin' in 'em. Those pasty black beans they 
call ‘ frijoles ' — aren't they the worst things 
you ever tasted ? And their ‘ pan dulce ' are 
the poorest excuses made anywhere for rolls, 
I'll wager. They're as hard as can be, most 
of 'em, and a fellow can't tell whether they're 
meant to be cake or bread — they're so sweet. 
I'd give a dollar for some nice biscuits and 
good butter. They do have some queer dishes 
here. Can you eat tortillas yet without mak- 
in' a face ? " 

I can eat them if they're crispy, but they 
never are, unless by accident. Do you think 
they take the place of pancakes or bread. 
Tubby?" 


In the Patio 


»3 

They don’t take the place of anything. 
They’re just tortillas, the first and the last. 
Of course a fellow doesn’t have to eat ’em, but 
there’s not much choice. I try everything I 
get a chance at — even the preserves they pass 
off for dessert. Say, I haven’t had a piece of 
pie since I’ve been in Mexico — real pie, 
that is.” 

“ You could be eating pie now, and brown 
Betty pudding, pancakes with maple-sugar 
syrup and all kinds of good United States 
things if you wanted to. You didn’t have to 
come here. Tubby. You could have gone 
back to St. John’s again and kept on being 
educated. The Gold Eagle Man was going to 
see that you got through school. He told me 
so himself.” 

Um-hm,” yawned Tubby, stretching him- 
self. '' But you know I got to thinkin’ I 
didn’t like bein’ dependent upon Mr. Ned 
Osborne even if I was goin’ to pay him back 
some day. I hustled around, I can tell you, 
when I got back to Tonopah, and I paid him 


14 A Little Princess of the Patio 

back in a hurry for that year at school. 
Then I felt better and decided I’d earn my 
own money to go to school with.” 

But, Tubby, it will take so long.” 

Maybe not so long, if a fellow knows how 
to do things. They say down at the office 
that I’m going to get on. Just you wait. 
I’ll be educated before I’m a hundred all 
right. Anyhow, I like to work. I like it 
better’ll books. I was mighty glad your 
father gave me a chance down here in his 
office. Of course I’m only doin’ odd jobs 
now, but I’m pickin’ up things all the time 
from the men who make those blue and 
white drawings. I’ll learn a lot more later 
when your father takes me with him on his 
trips to Torreon, Velardeha and Monterey 
and the other places where the smelters are. 
Then if I suit the superintendent I’ll stay in 
one of those places and learn all I can. It’ll 
all help some day when I go somewhere 
to study how to be a first class mining 
man.” 


In the Patio 


15 


^‘Why, Tubby, you never told me before 
that you were going to be a mining man,” 
exclaimed Jean, dropping her flowers in her 
surprise. 

Oh, I made up my mind to that when I 
was just a little shaver in Tonopah,” answered 
Tubby casually. What better kind of man 
could I set out to be? Here, you^d better not 
leave your flowers lying there on the ground 
— theyfll sizzle.” 

Tubby bestirred himself to collect Jean^s 
scattered flowers for her. 

I was trying to make a bouquet like one 
I saw on the plaza yesterday,” explained 
Jean. It was made with the flowers all tied 
first to toothpicks, then fastened together into 
a round plump little bouquet. There was a 
frill around it of lace-paper like a Sunday 
petticoat.” 

That bouquet had some moss too — the 
flowers looked if they were growin^ in it,” 
added Tubby. 

Oh, did you see it too? I thought you 


i6 A Little Princess of the Patio 


were looking at the dog-fight across the 
street/^ 

Can't a fellow see two things at once? " 

“ There's so much to see on the plaza, no 
one can see it all. At least I've not found 
out how yet. Every place I turn I see 
people who look as if they are just posed for 
a tableau, and oh, the color — it's everywhere, 
so bright and wonderful, like pieces of the 
Nevada sunsets left over and put into fiowers 
and serapes and houses. I'm glad Father 
Dick decided to have Orizaba for the place 
we are to call home the little while we're in 
Mexico. He says this is one of the prettiest 
and healthiest places here. Some of the 
cities in Mexico are ugly and dreadful to live 
in. I'd hate to be in a place where there's 
hardly anything to see and no flowers like 
these." 

Jean took her drooping flowers and dipped 
them into the blue- tiled fountain in the 
middle of the patio. 

Who's your bouquet for?" queried Tubby 


In the Patio 


17 

interestedly. ‘‘ Bouquets like that are made 
to give away.^^ 

Jean stopped short in her work. 

I don't know yet. I'm not making it for 
any one in particular. There's no one to give 
it to except you or Father Dick or Cousin 
Rachel, and she likes flowers better not picked. 
I don't know any one here and I don't feel as 
if I ever shall know any one except Rosalia, 
the cook and the other servants, if I can ever 
learn to speak their language better. I know 
only a few words now." 

** It is a lonely kind of place, I must say, 
even with so many people around and so 
much goin' on. It's like seein' a show and 
not bein' in it. It's not like gettin' acquainted 
in the United States." 

“ You can get acquainted faster than I can, 
Tubby — because you aren't so shut up. I 
can't go very far without Father Dick or 
Cousin Rachel. Father Dick's almost always 
busy, and Cousin Rachel is either resting or 
writing to Cousin Elizabeth. She has never 


i8 A Little Princess of the Patio 


been awa}' from Cousin Elizabeth before in her 
life. She just came with us because she 
thought Father Dick needed her to help take 
care of me. Wasn’t she a dear to do it ? She 
doesn’t like it very much in Mexico — the light 
is so bright it hurts her eyes so she can’t go 
out with me very much. She is so good to 
me though, I don’t know what I’d do if she 
hadn’t come, so I try not to care because 
she can’t go about with me more. I like 
it here, but I wish I could get better ac- 
quainted.” 

“ It’s not like being Little Princess of 
Tonopah, is it? Or ^ Wazi Itancanwin — 
Princess of the Pines’?” asked Tubby quiz- 
zically. “ There’s nothing here for you to be 
princess of except this patio.” 

“ Well, why not? It is a beautiful place.” 

“ Yes, when it’s not too hot. I can’t get 
used to seein’ a garden with a house built 
around it — that’s what this patio is — and it 
looks queer to see the flowers most all in pots, 
but it’s first-rate in here, I admit. The foun- 


In the Patio 


19 


tain’s great. It’s a mighty little place, though, 
and there’s never enough people in it for a 
princess.” 

** A person doesn’t have to have people 
around to be a princess.” 

“ Maybe not — but seems to me it would be 
a good deal like keepin’ your boot-heels shined, 
when no one was about to see ’em. A fellow 
can’t see his heels himself, without twistin’ 
around, so it doesn’t make so much difference 
to him as to other people whether they’re 
shined or not.” 

Jean nodded thoughtfully. 

Yes, or mending a tear that doesn’t 
show.” 

Tubby looked at her speculatively. 

I guess it would be pretty hard work all 
right for you to be Princess of the Patio. I 
don’t believe you could. You’ve got so used 
to havin’ people look on. You like it mighty 
well too, — havin’ ’em watchin’ you be a prin- 
cess.” 

Jean flushed at Tubby’s frank speech and 


20 


A Little Princess of the Patio 

became suddenly very much absorbed in the 
arrangement of her flowers. 

^^Well?” inquired Tubby, after waiting 
over long for his answer. What I said is so, 
now ain’t it? ” 

Jean flashed him a quick glance. 

“ Tubby, you are forgetting all your gram- 
mar here in Mexico,” she remarked, ignoring 
his question. 

“ Maybe I am, but that’s not what we’re 
talkin’ about. Now answer me — do you 
think you care about being Princess of the 
Patio?” 

Yes,” answered Jean finally with a very 

sober face. I do care about it ” 

Do you think you can do it ?” persisted 
Tubby scrutinizing her closely. Do you 
think you’ll try hard enough ? ” 

“ Didn’t I try as hard as ever I could when 
you and Cop and Skin and the rest first called 
me Princess of Tonopah? Don’t you remem- 
ber how afraid I was that you’d take the name 
away from me ? ” parried Jean. 


In the Patio 


21 


Yes, you kept steppin’ pretty lively then, 
I admit, but you had a big audience, and it 
was the first time you ever were a princess/^ 

“ But, Tubby, I kept on trying, didnT I, 
when Mr. Garreaux named me Wazi Itancan- 
win ? 

You tried just enough to keep the name 
— I canT say you did much more. I guess it 
was a case of * sins of omission ^ with you.^^ 
Why, Tubby, you're quoting something 
you've heard in church." 

“Well, why not, if it comes in handy? 
You don't think I've forgotten everything I 
heard at St. John's, do you? One thing I 
found out there pretty quick — it's not the 
things we do that get us into trouble always. 
It's the things we ought to do and don't. I 
learned that when I didn't see that my uni- 
form and my room were in tip-top shape. 
Now you were just on the ragged beggar’s 
edge of losing your name of Wazi Itancanwin 
because you didn't do the things a princess 
should do." 


22 


A Little Princess of the Patio 

“ No one except Father Dick ever said any- 
thing to me about taking my name away. 
He did once. That was when I took the 
cloisonn6 vase to sell it so I could get the 
kind of society pin I wanted.’^ 

“Took it?"' repeated Tubby, scornfully. 
“I call that just plain stealing. But that 
wasnT so bad as forgetting to do a lot of 
things you might have done easy enough if 
you’d just thought about them.” 

“ I made dolls and things for Birch Coulee 
Mission,” Jean jerked out in self-defense. 

“ Pooh, that was just amusin’ j^ourself ; and 
so was that concert you gave at the logging 
camp. Things like that may do good, but 
they’re not hard to do — they’re not princess 
deeds. I don’t think you did more’n one real 
princess deed all the time you lived in the 
north and that was when you got Giacino out 
of trouble at the mine — I guess he’s not for- 
gettin’ it now while he’s back pickin’ grapes 
in Italy. But one deed wasn’t enough to do, 
was it? I call that a pretty slim record. 


In the Patio 


23 


You were too busy havin' a good time. I 
didn’t like the way things were going alto- 
gether. I came mighty near makin’ it 
known to Mr. Garreaux and every one else 
that you’d have to give up your name of 
Wazi Itancanwin.” 

“ But you didn’t give the name to me,” re- 
torted Jean, thoroughly aroused. How 
could you take it away? You didn’t have 
anything to do with it.” 

Yes, I did have something to do with it,” 
maintained Tubby. I had everything to do 
with it, for I gave you the princess name first, 
and any time you don’t deserve it I can take 
it away from you.” 

Jean’s eyes opened wide as she looked at 
the masterful Tubby, who was standing be- 
fore her without his hands in his pockets. 
His shoulders were very straight, as if he were 
ready for drill, and his eyes were full of de- 
termination. He made Jean forget her pique. 

You look just like a general. Tubby,” she 
exclaimed admiringly. 


24 


A Little Princess of the Patio 


Aw, — you think you can wheedle me 
into saying everything's all right," chuckled 
Tubby. But you can't do it. What I say 
goes. You’ve got to prove whether you 
really can be a princess or not." 

Why, I thought you were satisfied with 
me all along. Tubby," cried Jean naively. 

Well, I wasn't — not altogether. I didn’t 
say anything before about this because I 
wanted to give you a right good chance to 
show what you were made of.” 

And now you think the princess material 
is left out?" Jean's voice quivered, but 
Tubby did not unbend in the least. 

don't know," he answered judiciously, 
** I haven't decided — quite.” 

Jean's lips moved, but somehow the right 
words wouldn’t come. 

I'll prove to you, Tubby, that I can be 
a real princess, now that I'm Princess of the 
Patio," she said finally. 

“ There, you've said something that makes 
a finishing touch to everything you've done 


In the Patio 


25 


that^s unprincesslike. A princess doesn't 
want anything she doesn’t deserve, and she 
doesn’t take things without askin’ — at least 
ray kind of princess doesn’t. Now you just 
grab the name of Princess of the Patio 
when you know you don’t deserve it ^ind 
without even sayin’ ^ by your leave ’ to 
me.” 

Why should I say ‘ by your leave ’ to 
you?” 

Tubby gave an expressive whistle. 

“ Who else should say that you have a 
right to be Princess of the Patio ? You can’t 
have the name until I say so. You’ll have 
to go on probation first.” 

Jean sprang to her feet indignantly. 

You mean I can’t begin by being prin- 
cess?” 

Yes, — you can’t have the title until I say 
the word.” 

Jean contemplated him with mixed emo- 
tion. Her eyes shone with sudden fire, but 
she could not make Tubby flinch. Ho 


26 A Little Princess of the Patio 

looked at her squarely with an expression 
which said plainly, Bend or break. 

“Humph,” ejaculated Jean floutingly at 
last, “ I don’t know that I care about being 
a princess any more. Tve been one long 
enough.” 

“ Oh-ho — so it was all like a play to you 
and nothing more then?” questioned Tubby 
mercilessly. “ That’s what I wanted to And 
out.” 

Jean sat down again and picked up her 
flowers. Her head was bent very low. She 
would rather die, she thought, than let Tubby 
see her tears. Tubby decided that it was the 
moment for his graceful exit. 

“ Well, I must be off,” he remarked airily, 
sauntering off with a sudden busy air. 
“ Think it over. Adios.” 

Jean did not deign to respond. 

“Oh, I say, Jean,” Tubby called back as he 
stopped to put a sprig of heliotrope jauntily 
into the buttonhole of his khaki coat, 
“ haven’t you learned enough of the Ian- 


In the Patio 


27 


guage down here yet to know that I said 
good-bye ? I know another word, ^ gracias,’ 
which means ' thank you ’ — I'll say it if 
you’ll give me your bouquet. It’s about 
done, I see. I’d like it first-rate. The 
fiowers’ll wilt before your father gets home.” 
Tubby came back tentatively, a step or two. 

Aren’t you going to let me have it, Jean? ” 

“ No, I’m not,” cried Jean chokingly. 
“ I’ll find some one else to give it to.” 

Then wise Tubby quietly left her to fume 
alone in the patio. He walked very rapidly 
toward the office. When he came to the last 
bend in the road he turned and gave a calcu- 
lating glance at the buff-colored stucco house 
which was Jean’s home. He caught a 
glimmer of color from the patio. There was 
something besides the flowers which made 
the brightness. Tubby saw the blue of 
Jean’s dress. She was still there, and her 
face was turned toward him. He took out 
his handkerchief, intending to wave to her, 
in their usual good comrade fashion, then 


28 A Little Princess of the Patio 


he reconsidered and wiped his forehead in- 
stead. 

Phew/^ he vented. ** Training a princess 
is the hardest work IVe ever had to do — but 
it^s got to be done! There^s no gettin^ round 
it. Jean likes the lime-light too well — she 
has to have too much hand-clappin\ That^s 
not my idea of a true princess. A true 
princess does the right things just because 
she likes to do ^em and she doesn^t care a 
snap whether any one is lookin’ on or not. 
All Jean’s ideas of bein’ princess need re- 
novatin’.” 


CHAPTER II 


THE bouquet’s MISSION 

After Tubby had gone, Jean had it out ’’ 
with herself there alone in the patio. 

Why hadn’t she told Tubby how much she 
wanted to keep her name of princess ? She 
knew, deep in her own heart, that she would 
rather give up almost anything else. 

It was just because he ordered me around 
so,” she said, in her attempt at self-justifica- 
tion, and he’s a boy — ;just a boy.” 

This was not the first time Jean’s and 
Tubby’s wills had clashed, and somehow, 
Jean always found it harder to give up to 
Tubby than to any one else, even to other 
boys. It was this old reluctance to yield to 
Tubby which stirred her now, as well as the 
unpleasant realization that she had failed 
to be Tubby’s ideal of a princess. In her 

chagrin, she tried to scoff at his standard. 

29 


30 


A Little Princess of the Patio 

“ He doesn’t really know how a princess 
should act,” Jean explained, defending her- 
self to a lily which was listening attentively 
to her frequent outbursts. 

The lily’s head shook decisively, as if in 
protest. Jean looked about in surprise — she 
had not felt any breeze. She became uncom- 
fortable and turned her back to the un- 
sympathetic lily. She began restlessly to 
pick up the stray leaves which were scattered 
about the tiny grass-plot in the centre of the 
patio. 

Somehow, nothing diverted Jean. It 
brought her no solace to say, “ What do I 
care?” over and over again. She did care 
— this she had to admit miserably to herself 
at last, as she plumped down upon a serape 
spread out in the coolest corner on the patio 
walk, close to the sala. 

Tubby had compelled her to respect his 
opinion in many things since the first days 
of their Tonopah acquaintance — in fact he 
was right almost always, she conceded. 


The Bouquet’s Mission 31 

Perhaps he was right now about her not 
being altogether the true kind of princess. 
But it was so much easier to pretend that she 
was tired of being princess than to face failure 
if she shouldn’t be able to keep the name. 

Very much ashamed, she confessed her 
cowardly make-believe to Amado, her little 
“ perrico ” or parrakeet, which was fluttering 
about her in friendly fashion, pecking with 
its ivory bill at the geometrical flgures in 
cochineal upon the serape. 

** You dear beautiful Amado,” cried Jean, 
catching the little creature and smoothing 
first its glistening green wings, then its vivid 
orange and blue forehead. “ You deserve your 
name, which means * loved,’ and no one shall 
ever take it away from you, as Tubby has 
taken my princess name. Do you think he 
had a right to do it ? ” 

Amado ruffled the little black patch of 
feathers under his beak, flirted his long tail 
and put his head upon one side as he looked 
at her. Then he gave an emphatic chirp. 


32 


A Little Princess of the Patio 


“ That means ‘ j'es,’ I suppose,” sighedJean. 
** I know myself that I didn^t deserve to keep 
the name, but it’s hard to admit it, even to you, 
precious Amado, and anyhow I think it 
wasn’t nice of Tubby to take my name away 
whether I deserved it or not. You don’t look 
as if you agree with me at all. It’s hard to 
be sympathetic and just, at the same time, 
isn’t it? Please go away and eat the dough 
you like so much. You don’t comfort me, 
Amado.” 

Jean shut her eyes and tried to take a nap. 
Naps during the long drowsy afternoons had 
become a habit since she had come to 
Mexico, but to-day sleep would not come to 
her. 

She could hear Luisa moving about in the 
sala. Luisa never found time to dust until 
the afternoon. The flap-flap of her loose 
slippers upon the tiled floor sounded very dis- 
mal to Jean. The clattering of the little 
statuettes and vases upon the marble-topped 
tables, as Luisa dusted them none too gently. 


33 


The Bouquet’s Mission 

also gave Jean unwelcome suggestions. It 
brought to her a picture of the big lonely sala 
which she so objected to because it was just 
like every other sala she had seen in Mexico. 

Father Dick had taken a furnished house, 
which had, along with other things character- 
istically Mexican, this pattern sala. Each de- 
tail of it came to Jean^s mind now — its orna- 
mental pink and white tiling, its high painted 
canvas ceiling, its black furniture, its symmet- 
rically arranged pictures and its array of fanci- 
ful ornaments. She could see the gay little 
bisque shepherdesses and smiling troubadours 
jostling the fat morose looking rabbits and 
disgusted birds — while the leaden statuettes of 
fierce soldiers pointed swords at the placid 
glass ducks. Even the gaudy beaded mats 
upon which they stood were included in 
Jean’s picture. Father Dick had told Jean 
that she might store away all the uninterest- 
ing pictures and unattractive ornaments pro- 
vided the new things she put in their places 
were attractive enough to take away with them 


34 A Little Princess of the Patio 

when they left. Now she tried to entertain 
herself by thinking of the prospective trans- 
formation of the sala, but for the moment 
there was no charm for her in these plans. 

She and Luisa seemed to be the only per- 
sons who were awake in the house. It was 
the hour when every one sought cool, darkened 
rooms, which shut out the brilliant light 
and invited sleep. Jean glanced up at the 
windows of her Cousin Rachehs room which, 
like all the rooms on the second floor, opened 
to the patio court. The shades were closely 
drawn and Jean knew that Cousin Rachel 
was taking her afternoon nap as usual, so she 
dared not disturb her. 

From outside Jean could hear the occa- 
sional rattle of a cart over the cobblestones, 
and now and then the cry of some one sell- 
ing pinas ’’ or pineapples. She could not 
tell whether the shrill, harsh cry was that of a 
man or a woman. 

Everything combined to make Jean more 
lonely and miserable. 


The Bouquet’s Mission 35 

She jumped up suddenly, as an inspiration 
came to her. She would find some one to 
whom she could give her bouquet. Father 
Dick wouldn't care, she knew, if she went 
alone just a little distance from the house. 

She took her bouquet from its place by the 
cool fountain and without the vaguest idea of 
where she was going, she hurried out upon 
the street. Once outside, she felt much hap- 
pier. She looked down at the town and 
drew a long breath of delight. 

Orizaba lies in a valley and, from her 
home at the top of the slope, Jean had an 
excellent view. The pink and blue and yel- 
low houses, with their tiled roofs, looked their 
brightest in the dazzling afternoon sun. A 
pulsing, palpitating radiation of heat quivered 
over everything. Jean could see the or- 
chards and the orange groves, sugar-cane 
stretches and the coffee plantations which lay 
between the spreading streets near the out- 
skirts. 

With delight Jean sniffed the combined 


36 A Little Princess of the Patio 

fragrance which came up to her. She tried 
to distinguish the separate scents, but except 
for the heavy sweetness of the trumpet- 
shaped datura blossoms and the aromatic 
whiff of various fruits now and then, she 
could not analyze them. There was so much 
to make the sweetness, and Jean reveled in 
the rich suggestion of tropical luxuriance. 

The rows of yucca trees, which served as 
fences to many homes, made definite straight 
lines and angles in the landscape. Here and 
there clusters of banana trees rustled their 
long leaves and revealed gleams of their 
yellowing treasure-store. The market-place 
made a big splash of variegated color, and 
Jean longed to follow the path which led to 
it, but her father had forbidden her to go 
there alone. 

If only she could go on and on, beyond the 
edges of the town, which looked so big ! 
There she knew, if she only went far enough, 
she would come to bits of real tropical growth 
—places full of heavy mosses, bracken, tree- 


The Bouquet’s Mission 37 

fern and orchids — those same wonderful or- 
chids which she had bought by the basketful 
from the natives in the market-place. How 
she longed to see them growing ! 

Far off Jean could see the top of a big 
mountain which her geography called Citlal- 
tepetl, but which every one in Orizaba, with 
an air of fond ownership, called “ Orizaba 
Volcano or ‘‘ El Volcan.’^ It was over 
twenty miles away, but it looked as if she 
needed only to take a hop, a skip and a jump 
and she would be there. Father Dick had 
promised to take her there, but, she con- 
sidered mournfully, he was so busy now at 
first that there was not much hope of her 
getting there soon. She gazed, fascinated 
by the gleam of the snow-muffled mountains. 
There it was as cold as it was in Minnesota 
and here — she turned again wonderingly to 
the blaze of warmth and color about her. 
She felt steeped in the glow, and she loved it 
as much as if she were born a child of the 
tropics. 


38 A Little Princess of the Patio 

She walked along slowly, carefully holding 
her bouquet. Every few steps meant a sur- 
prise ; for Orizaba, like other Mexican towns, 
did not have all its so-called best houses 
together in rows after the usual United States 
fashion. Here the houses were scattered 
everywhere. An imposing residence might 
be next door to a tumble-down shop, or a 
jaunty fruit-stall in the shadow of one of the 
many churches. Jean did not yet know 
even her immediate neighborhood, and she 
was quite restored to a pleasant mood by 
the possibilities of adventure almost at her 
door. 

She thought as she passed house after 
house with their characteristic barred win- 
dows that they looked very much like prisons 
— prisons making an effort to look brave and 
gay. Occasionally the smiling faces of idle, 
curious women peered out from behind the 
bars and quickly dispelled the impression of 
prisons. 

If I just might see a true prisoner's face. 


The Bouquet’s Mission 39 

I’d put my bouquet on the window sill. It 
would be nice to give it away like that,” 
thought Jean as she surveyed the windows, 
somewhat disappointedly. 

Presently, as she turned a corner, a re- 
splendent hibiscus tree caught her eye, and 
for a moment, she was so absorbed in gazing 
at the crimson blooms which flashed out 
from the dark leaves that she did not notice 
what a dilapidated house it grew beside. 
The patio was in sad disorder, with many 
broken flower-pots and only a few struggling 
plants. The sun-dried bricks of the dwelling 
had once been calcimined pale blue, but now 
they had faded to a melancholy neutral tint. 
Jean could see the inevitable marble-topped 
table close by the window in the sala. There 
was the usual array of ornaments, but even 
from outside they showed how battered and 
old they were. This house was frankly a 
poor relation to its neighbors. 

Jean suddenly became conscious of a pair 
of eyes looking at her from behind the win- 


40 A Little Princess of the Patio 

dow bars. Wistful child^s eyes they were, 
full of loneliness. 

‘‘ Prisoner’s eyes I ” breathed Jean, hurrying 
closer with her bouquet. 

She could not see the rest of the face, for it 
was hidden by the tattered hanging which 
dangled at one end of the window. The eyes 
withdrew hastily as Jean stepped nearer. She 
waited a moment for them to reappear. There 
was a little quiver of the hanging, and Jean 
knew that the owner of the eyes was still 
there. Without hesitating, she darted for- 
ward and put her bouquet upon the narrow 
window sill, then turned to run quickly away. 

Jean ! Jean I ” a voice called excitedly 
after her. 

Jean wheeled around eagerly. Who in this 
strange place could know her name ? 

There at the window she saw the eyes 
again. Jean gave a gasp as she looked. 
Those greenish blue eyes with the much 
curled hair falling into them — surely they 
could belong to but one person on earth. 


The Bouquet’s Mission 41 

The rest of the face appeared suddenly and 
Jean gave a cry of recognition. 

Beatrice Paxton ! she cried wonderingly. 

You? Here in Mexico? ” 

At the moment Jean could not comprehend 
Beatrice's surprise at seeing her in Mexico. 
To Jean the only strange thing was that 
Beatrice should be there. 

Beatrice bobbed up and down behind the 
barred window. 

Oh, oh, oh ! " she half sobbed. I should 
have died if you hadn't come along, Jean, 
this very minute." 

“ Beatrice ! What is the matter ? What 
makes you cry ? " 

I'm so lonely," wailed Beatrice, so lonely 
that it hurts. Isn't Mexico dreadful, Jean ? " 

Not dreadful, Beatrice, just lonely, but 
it'll not be lonely any more now that we've 
found each other. Only thinks you live just 
a little way from our house ! However do 
you happen to be here ? Nobody told me you 
were in Mexico. Why didn't you tell me 


42 A Little Princess of the Patio 

yourself? You didn^t answer my last letter, 
and I wrote it months and months ago one 
day in the study hall at Saint Catherine’s. 
Why didn’t you write ? ” 

Beatrice’s thin face flushed, and for a mo- 
ment she did not answer. Then with a burst, 
she told Jean the situation. 

“ Because we’re poor now, Jean, — as poor 
as church-mice, my father says. He lost all 
his money in Nevada somehow in the mines 
— it was something about speculating. So we 
moved away from Tonopah and came here to 
Mexico to start all over again. Father has 
come here to see about raising coffee. He 
thinks he can get rich again that way. We 
have to live in this tumbly-down house until 
he can decide what to do and make some 
money.” 

But I don’t see why all this kept you from 
writing to me,” pursued Jean. 

Don’t you see ? I was ashamed to tell you 
— that was why.” 

Ashamed ? ” repeated Jean bewildered. 


The Bouquet’s Mission 43 

Yes, being poor is so dreadful. I can^t 
have any more new clothes — -just look at this 
old thing. It used to be a party dress, but 
now I have to wear it mornings too and all 
day, so it’s frayed as can be. I haven’t a 
governess any longer and — oh, I just couldn’t 
tell you.” 

Jean looked sympathetically at Beatrice’s 
woeful little figure leaning dejectedly against 
the window. There fiashed into her mind a 
picture of the Beatrice she knew in Tonopah 
days — the pampered, beruffled Beatrice with 
dolls in silks and laces to match her own 
elaborate clothes. 

** Oh, Beatrice I I’m so sorry, I wish you 
had told me. It’s no disgrace not to have 
money. Why, when we came to Tonopah we 
had to live in a tent.” 

“Yes, but now you are rich — that was one 
of the reasons I wouldn’t tell you — you have 
so much money now, more than we ever had. 
If you’d been poor I might have told you.” 

“ I’m just the same person that lived in a 


44 A Little Princess of the Patio 

tent. Father Dick's mines haven’t made me 
some one else. What difference does it make 
whether a body is rich or poor? ” scoffed Jean. 

Beatrice’s eyes narrowed an instant as she 
looked at Jean searchingly. 

Mother says it makes a great difference to 
every one.” 

It doesn’t matter to me, Beatrice — truly 
it doesn’t. Come over to see my patio right 
away and we can talk about everything that’s 
happened since we saw each other. Please 
come, will you ? ” 

I’d love to come,” assented Beatrice 
quickly. “ I’ll ask mother.” 

In a few minutes she came back to the 
window with a downcast air. 

** I can’t go,” she announced sorrowfully. 

“ Oh, why not ? ” questioned Jean greatly 
disappointed. 

“ Mother says she doesn’t want me to play 
with you. She asked me where was my 
pride — she said you’d crow over me because 
I am poor now and you are rich. She said 


The Bouquet’s Mission 45 

you^d remember that at first when you were 
poor, I wouldn’t play with you on your sand- 
pile and that I slammed the door in your 
face and all those things. She said no, you’d 
flaunt all your rich things in my face and 
make me feel as bad as you could to get 
even.” 

Jean caught her breath. She felt as if 
some one had given her a blow in the face. 

Do you think — oh, Beatrice, do you 
really think I’d be so horrid?” 

“ I don’t know,” answered Beatrice frankly, 
torn by distrust. Mother says you’d be sure 
to, and she wouldn’t let me go no matter how 
I begged. I wanted to go anyhow, for I’d 
rather have you be mean to me than to stay 
here all alone. Mother cries so much she has 
the headache and has to lie down nearly the 
whole day. She hates it so here in Mexico. 
She doesn’t let me go out at all without her 
and so I have to stay indoors almost all the 
time. I haven’t a thing to do but keep my 
hair in curl and bathe mother’s head with 


46 A Little Princess of the Patio 

cologne. It’s terrible — -just terrible. You 
could be as mean to me as you like — I’d go 
just the same, if I only could.” Beatrice 
concluded tragically. 

“ I wouldn’t be mean to you,” Jean an- 
swered in great distress. I wish you could 
come so you’d find out for sure I wouldn’t 
be. . Will you — will you take my bouquet, 
Beatrice ? ” 

Jean pushed her bouquet forward hesitat- 
ingly. 

Beatrice’s slim little fingers went out 
quickly between the bars. 

Yes,” she answered, gratefully, if you 
want me to have it — it’s the sweetest bouquet 
I ever saw. I wish I could ask you to come 
inside, but I can’t. Mother says that it isn’t 
nice enough in the sala for you to see. She 
doesn’t want you to see us in such a place. 
Everything’s broken and the ceiling’s coming 
down in one corner. It’s a horrid place.” 

Oh, Beatrice, if I could come in, I’d 
never notice what the sala was like. I’m 


The Bouquet’s Mission 47 

sorry I can't come in, but if I can't, I must 
go away, for your mother'll not like it if I 
stay here at the window and talk to you any 
longer." 

“Good-bye, Jean," faltered Beatrice, miser- 
ably. 

“ Good-bye," answered Jean with a little 
quiver in her voice. 

Hungry for companionship and more hurt 
than she had ever been in her life, Jean 
turned and walked away fighting her tears. 
She heard a stifled sob from behind the 
window, and she conquered her own tears to 
call back bravely to Beatrice. 

“ I'll leave another bouquet on the window 
sill for you to-morrow, Beatrice," she prom- 
ised, “ and I'll put lots of camellias and 
heliotrope in it." 


CHAPTER III 


THE BIRTHDAY FEAST 

Jean found her Cousin Rachel anxiously 
searching for her about the house. 

Where have you been, Jean? Out for a 
walk ? I have been looking for you every- 
where. Do you know when I woke up from 
my nap it came to me suddenly that to-day 
is your father^s birthday, and we have com- 
pletely forgotten it.” 

Jean flopped into a heap upon a rattan 
footstool in the sala. 

“To think that I should forget Father 
Dick's birthday ! ” she cried dolefully. 
“Everything has gone wrong to-day, but 
this is the worst thing that has happened.” 

Her lapse of memory was to Jean the cli- 
max of the day's criss-cross happenings, and 
she surprised Cousin Rachel by throwing her- 
48 


The Birthday Feast 49 

self into her arms and giving way to a storm 
of tears. 

Cousin Rachel wisely asked no questions 
until her little sympathetic pats had quite 
soothed Jean^s sobbing. Very soon Jean 
lifted her flushed face and told about Bea- 
trice. Jean wanted to tell also that she was 
no longer a princess, but somehow she could 
not say it even to Cousin Rachel — yet. She 
summed up her general misery by calling the 
day “ a porcupine day/' which was the worst 
she could say of it. “ Everything that happens 
is just prickly and disagreeable," she declared. 

“ Well, well," comforted Cousin Rachel, 
'' the day isn't over yet. It's not too late for 
something pleasant to happen. We can do 
something for Father Dick yet. Never mind 
about forgetting his surprises for breakfast as 
usual. He will understand how natural it 
was to forget the calendar here in Mexico. 
With the season so different, we've had noth- 
ing to remind us of his birthday. We'll 
make up by having a birthday supper." 


50 


A Little Princess of the Patio 


Jean glanced anxiously at the clock. 

Isn't it too late for a really truly birthday 
feast? Rosalia is so slow, and there's so 
much to get ready." 

Perhaps she will hurry if she understands 
why — and we can help." 

Together they sped eagerly to the kitchen, 
where they found Rosalia replenishing the 
charcoal in the little tiled brasero, which, 
even now, Jean could scarcely believe was 
meant for a stove, though she had watched 
Rosalia light it and cook by it every day. 

Rosalia greeted them with her slow indul- 
gent smile, which was particularly gracious to- 
day, because she had had a good nap. 

Rosalia, we want to have a birthday sup- 
per for Father Dick," announced Jean, for- 
getting in her excitement that Rosalia under- 
stood only about ten words in English. 

Recalled to this fact by Rosalia's blank 
look, Jean ran for her Spanish grammar, 
which had helped her out so often in previ- 
ous communications. 


The Birthday Feast 51 

Rosalia smiled at the sight of the grammar. 
That, together with Jean’s red cheeks and 
dancing eyes, indicated something entertain- 
ing. Jean pointed eagerly to “ cena ” and 
Rosalia nodded intelligently. Evidently all 
the excitement had to do with supper. Then 
by means of padre ” and “ dia festivo ” and 
a few other words Jean made Rosalia under- 
stand that they wished a holiday feast in 
honor of her father’s birthday. 

At first Rosalia had much to say about the 
time. Another reason for her reluctance lay 
in the fact that her chief cooking for the day 
was over. Comida ” or dinner takes place 
in Mexico at noon, so Rosalia was scarcely 
prepared for another elaborate meal. But at 
last when she understood that she would have 
help, she said it was easy to do,” and Jean 
jumped up and down in her relief. 

Get your chafing-dish and my alcohol 
lamp, Jean,” suggested Cousin Rachel, and 
you and I will do some American cooking.” 

“ Oh, will there be time for me to make 


52 


A Little Princess of the Patio 


some ^ divinity fudge ^ ? You know how 
Father Dick loves it/^ cried Jean bustling 
about excitedly. 

‘*You can try, at any rate,” said Cousin 
Rachel, as she busily tucked up her sleeves. 

We shall all have to work very fast, if we 
are to get things ready in time.” 

Such a flutter, such a hurry as there was in 
Rosalia's domain, the cocina ” I None too 
large a place they found it to work in, par- 
ticularly after Luisa came to assist. 

Escipion was also summoned to help. 
Escipion had to go twice to the market- 
place and he came back carrying an in- 
credible amount at a time. When he 
returned the second time he condescended 
to cut the pineapples, crush the pulp and 
strain the juice for Rosalia, who mixed it 
with the combined sweetness of oranges, 
chirimoyaSy plantanos, and half a dozen other 
fruits, spiced deliciously according to a 
famous recipe all her own into a most 
delectable drink. She called it “ refresco,” 


The Birthday Feast 53 

and every one who tasted it declared that it 
was certainly true refreshment. 

As soon as Escipion understood that it was 
Mr. Kingsley^s birthday, he left the cocina 
abruptly upon an errand of his own. He re- 
turned shortly and held side consultation 
with Rosalia and Luisa. 

Escipibn was determined that when Mr. 
Kingsley arrived he should be received with 
proper ceremony. 

Jean and Cousin Rachel were still busy in 
the kitchen when at dusk Mr. Kingsley came 
home. They had been so occupied that they 
had not noticed Rosalia's and Luisa's sudden 
departure from the cocina, so they were quite 
as much surprised as Mr. Kingsley at the 
demonstration which broke forth in the patio. 

At the sound of a long drawn cry from 
Escipi6n they rushed out to learn what it 
meant. It was the signal for lighting the 
fireworks which he had arranged. Rockets 
swooped into the air with such loud explo- 
sions, and sparks fiew so dazzlingly from the 


54 


A Little Princess of the Patio 


entrance that Mr. Kingsley rushed in ex- 
citedly with the impression of fire and blood- 
shed foremost in his mind. 

As soon as he appeared Rosalia began to 
pull frantically at the bell-rope, and the 
clang of the long unused bell added to the 
general confusion. Luisa started to wave 
with complete abandon a monstrous tissue- 
paper garland, keeping up at the same time a 
dancing movement with her feet. 

What in the world is all this ? ” cried Mr. 
Kingsley in great astonishment. 

It^s for your birthday. Father Dick,^’ an- 
swered Jean, running to meet him. 

She was overjoyed at this unexpected addi- 
tion to her festival plans. 

“ My birthday ? he exclaimed dazedly. 

Why, rd forgotten all about it.” 

Then you didnT notice that we forgot it 
ourselves this morning?” Jean inquired 
anxiously. 

No, it hadnT entered my head till now 
that this is a special day in my calendar.” 


55 


The Birthday Feast 

We didn’t remember it until just a little 
while ago, but we’re trying now to make up 
for not thinking earlier. Wasn’t it beautiful 
of Escipion to plan all this? ” 

I believe I’m a hero returned from 
battle,” said Mr. Kingsley, quite as delighted 
as Jean. At this moment Luisa came for- 
ward and shyly disposed of her garland by 
putting it around Mr. Kingsley’s neck, while 
Escipion, with a fine sense of climax, promptly 
aimed an old pistol at the Big Dipper, which 
sparkled in the bit of sky visible directly 
above the patio, and shot off numerous cart- 
ridges with startling effect. 

Then came a sudden hush. Escipion, 
Rosalia and Luisa ranged themselves in a 
row and looked expectantly at Mr. Kingsley. 

“ What do they want me to do ? ” he in- 
quired anxiously. I feel as if I’ve lost my 
cue in a play.” 

It must be a speech they want,” said 
Cousin Rachel laughing until the tears came 
at Mr. Kingsley’s confusion. 


56 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Escipi6n, who understood a little English, 
nodded vigorously and indicated that she 
had guessed exactly what they were waiting 
for. 

When people look at me like that, I 
can’t disappoint them, but I’d rather go with- 
out my supper than make a speech,” groaned 
Mr. Kingsley. 

No, you wouldn’t,” protested Jean reck- 
less of what her father might guess from her 
remarks. Do say something. Father Dick 
— make a birthday speech.” 

There was nothing for Mr. Kingsley to do 
but to gratify every one’s expectations. So, 
looking very ridiculous with the garland 
dangling about his neck and getting en- 
tangled with his hands, he attempted to say 
first in English, then in what Spanish he 
could command, that they had delighted him 
beyond measure by their unique remembrance 
of his birthday. He said that he could truth- 
fully say he had never felt so important be- 
fore in his life. 


57 


The Birthday Feast 

When he had stumbled through his last 
Spanish sentence, he wiped his forehead and 
with much relief followed Cousin Rachel and 
Jean into the house, where suggestive invit- 
ing whiffs from the cocina urged him to make 
all haste in getting ready for supper. 

When Rosalia announced supper she ap- 
peared in a complete change of costume. 
She wore a stiff blue skirt with an even 
stiffer unbelted blouse of buff color. She had 
thrust some gay azaleas in her dark braids 
behind each ear. Altogether she presented a 
holiday appearance fit to vie with Jean in her 
pale yellow and white butterfly ” dress and 
Cousin Rachel in her best gown of silver gray 
adorned with old lace. 

I hope the things to eat will prove to be 
as good as they smell,'^ exclaimed Mr. Kings- 
ley, as they all hurried to the table. 

His delight at the creamed chicken, the 
fruit salad and other dishes prepared in the 
American way quite repaid Cousin Rachel 
and Jean for their trouble. Rosalia had sur- 


58 A Little Princess of the Patio 

passed herself in her own efforts. The com- 
bination of some really good Mexican cooking 
with Cousin Rachehs triumphs was pro- 
nounced by Mr. Kingsley quite perfect. 

They were trying to guess how many ingre- 
dients Rosalia had put into the meat sauce 
when sounds of music came from the patio. 
They heard first a few tinkly chords upon a 
harp accompanied by the minor throbbing of 
a ‘^jarana.^’ Then Escipibn^s high tenor 
voice broke forth into lyrical comment upon 
the occasion of his master’s birthday. This 
was not the first of Escipidn’s improvising 
which the family had heard, for he oftener 
sang his thoughts than spoke them. There 
was scarcely anything that Escipidn did not 
sing about with a freedom of expression 
which was interesting, if not always esthetic. 
A burnt tortilla served him for the theme of 
a song as well as a freshly opened rose. His 
variations of melody were always about the 
same, and now he sang his eulogies of his 
master to the same round of music he had 


59 


The Birthday Feast 

used only a few hours before to express his 
meditations about a stray dog which had over- 
turned his water jugs. 

His outburst was answered promptly by a 
voice they had not heard before — a clear, bell- 
like voice like a choir-boy’s. Then followed 
that style of dialogue recitative which one 
hears so often in Mexico on festal occasions 
and even sometimes upon the plantations 
when, with only the wheels of the coffee- 
machines to pound out music for them, the 
peons improvise such songs to entertain them- 
selves when their work becomes monotonous. 
One person dramatically voices his sentiments, 
then the other answers, giving his view of the 
matter. The two may amiably agree, or they 
may fall into heated arguments. This time 
the two singers were obviously of one mind. 
They attempted merely to outdo each other 
in enlarging upon the statement that the 
master of this worthy house was the most 
wonderful of men. 

In all the world,” warbled Escipidn con- 


6o A Little Princess oi the Patio 

vincingly, with effective trills, the noblest 
man/^ 

In the whole wide world, responded his 
companion sweetly, the noblest and the 
best.” 

** He is the kindest man,” added Escipi6n, 
waxing very earnest. 

** The kindest man and the bravest,” en- 
larged his compaion. 

So it went on until Escipion had run 
through the scale of all possible virtues, includ- 
ing cleanliness. Mr. Kingsley listened with 
surprise to the recital of so many perfections. 

They don’t really think I’m so perfect as 
that, do they ? ” he gasped. 

They just say it to make the song nice,” 
Jean said, ingenuously trying to make her 
father comfortable. 

Jean was consumed with curiosity to find 
out who the other singer was, and between 
courses she went out to investigate. She 
found a little lame boy leaning upon his 
crutches while he twanged at his jarana and 


The Birthday Feast 6i 

saiig with all his might quick, interested 
responses to Escipi6n’s assertions. 

When there was a lull in the music, she 
asked him his name. 

“ Me llamo Felipe Vasquez (My name is 
Felipe Vasquez), he said lifting his very 
dark eyes shyly to hers. 

There was something about Felipe which so 
much suggested an American boy that Jean 
was surprised at first to hear him answer in 
Spanish. She was delighted when he began 
in a few moments to speak in English. He 
spoke with a marked southern accent — indeed 
he talked almost exactly like a little pick- 
aninny. His aristocratic little face, with its 
quick play of expression, interested Jean at 
once. His clothes were old and torn, yet he 
did not look like a child of poverty. There 
was a jaunty independence about him, curi- 
ously mingled with an air of loneliness. He 
was quickly responsive to Jean’s attempts to 
get acquainted and politely handed over his 
jarana for her to examine. 


62 A Little Princess of the Patio 

His jarana, a guitar-like instrument, had 
an armadillo’s shell for a sounding-board. Its 
tightly stretched strings gave out a soft little 
minor hum as Jean took it in her hands. 

She induced him to come into the house 
and Cousin Rachel, captivated at once by the 
little lad, asked him to share the rest of the 
birthday feast with them. This caused con- 
sternation on the part of Escipion, who 
observed through the door that Felipe was 
seated at the table. Escipion was very fond 
of Felipe himself, for he had such interesting 
times singing with him, but he was not at all 
sure that the little cripple was worthy the 
honor of sitting at his master’s table. 

Felipe was known in the neighborhood as 
'‘nobody’s child.” Nobody knew who he 
really was. His mother was dead and his 
father was away apparently all the time. 
That the father had means and saw that his 
son needed nothing was evident. The child 
lived alone in a big house with several 
servants. A negro “ mammy ” was his chief 


The Birthday Feast 63 

protector. She made a great show of au- 
thority, but, in reality, Felipe tyrannized over 
her as well as the other servants, who were 
devoted to him. Consequently to-night he 
was wandering about the neighborhood with 
his jarana as he loved to do at nightfall. 
Everybody knew Felipe, and he was quite 
safe, but Mammy Zoe was driven quite dis- 
tracted by this diversion, for she was uneasy 
every minute he was out of her sight. 

Hardly was he seated at the table and tast- 
ing some of the birthday cake when Mammy 
Zoe appeared in breathless haste to take him 
home. 

As soon as Jean heard Mammy Zoe speak 
she knew where Felipe got his manner of 
speaking. His choice of words and his accent 
were exactly like Mammy Zoe’s. 

Oh, Mammy Zoe I exclaimed Felipe dis- 
gustedly. 

“ You bad chile, you worry yo^ mammy to 
her def ^ for a fac^ you do. Yo’ come ’long 
now an’ get yo’se’f clean.” 


64 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Please let him stay; we're just getting 
acquainted," pleaded Jean. 

Mammy Zoe straightened her bandanna 
and hesitated, but when Mr. Kingsley added 
his plea, she succumbed. 

Let him stay long enough to have a drink 
of Rosalia's refresco at least," Mr. Kingsley 
urged, eager as was every one else to know 
Felipe better. I was just going to propose a 
health to the princess of the feast." 

Jean's face fell. For a little while she had 
forgotten about her loss of her princess name. 
She had meant to tell Father Dick, of course, 
but now she must tell him — before every one. 
She tried her best to speak while Rosalia was 
getting the glasses ready but she could not 
utter a word. The lights and the flowers 
swam in a mist before her. She longed for 
something to happen which would divert her 
father from proposing her health. 

Something did happen, but it only made 
matters worse in the end. Tubby arrived 
with some important messages for Mr. Kings- 



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The Birthday Feast 65 

ley. Of course Mr. Kingsley asked him to 
join them all at the table. 

“ You are just in time to help drink our 
little princess’s health,” said Mr. Kingsley, 
smiling affection atel}^ at Jean as he poured a 
glass of refresco for Tubby. 

Tubby looked at Jean and Jean looked at 
Tubby. There was a curious expression in 
Tubby’s eyes which Jean could notread. Was 
it a challenge ? She could not tell, but in an 
instant her mind was made up. Slowly she 
slipped from her chair. She felt as if she had 
to stand up to say the words which came so hard. 

Father Dick — and everybody,” she began 
firmly, I’m not a princess any more, so 
please don’t call me that now. Tubby gave 
me the name first, so he has a right to say 
whether I can keep it or not, and now he’s 
taken it away.” 

** Well, well,” exclaimed Mr. Kingsley, 
looking inquiringly at Tubby. “ This must 
be something new, isn’t it ? ” 

Tubby straightened himself for the ordeal 


66 A Little Princess of the Patio 


of a reply. He gave one despairing glance at 
Jean. Her head was drooping, but her mouth 
was set very firmly. Tubby wanted with all 
his heart to give her back her name at that 
moment But it canT be done,'' he said to 
himself decidedly. Then he answered Mr. 
Kingsley without giving explanations. “ It 
happened to-day, — -just this afternoon, he 
said with an attempt to pass it off as a trivial 
occurrence. 

Mr. Kingsley was much amused at the sol- 
emn tragic attitude of Jean and Tubby. He 
guessed it would be better to discuss the mat- 
ter some other time, and he adroitly avoided 
further embarrassment for them both by 
changing the subject quickly and centering 
the attention upon Felipe. 

‘‘ To Felipe, my birthday friend, who sang 
my praises before he knew me,'' he said rais- 
ing his glass. 

“ I did know you," objected Felipe, fo' 
every mornin' I see you moseyin’ off to yo' 
work." 


The Birthday Feast 67 

During the laughter that followed Jean 
bravely conquered herself. If her heart was 
heavy she did not show it. She was the mer- 
riest one of the party while the feast lasted. 

Tubby well knew how much her bravery 
cost her. He wanted to say “ Bully for you ” 
to her aside as the Western Union boys in 
Tonopah used to say to Cop to help him 
through when he was attempting something 
hard, but never a word of encouragement did 
Tubby utter. He must see if she could get 
through it alone. 

Jean kept up her brave gayety until the last 
and it was not until she was alone with her 
father that she showed how she really felt. 

“ It has made me so unhappy, Father Dick ; 
you can’t think how strange it seems not to 
be a princess any more.” 

‘‘I thought you said you told Tubby you 
didn’t care about being a princess any longer,” 
said her father, suppressing a smile. 

Ye-es,” admitted Jean reluctantl}^ but 
that’s just what makes me feel so. I want to 


68 A Little Princess of the Patio 

try to be one again — but I don’t want to tell 
Tubby so. He’s so — so particular — and he 
said such horrid things to me.” 

Mr. Kingsley chuckled. 

I admire him for his courage, Jean. He 
said about what I’ve thought a good many 
times, but somehow kept putting off telling 
you,” he said, pulling her braids and kissing 
her good-night. 

He knew it was better for Jean to be alone 
after that remark and he left her thinking 
harder than she had ever thought in her life 
about her own self. 

She went to sleep that night still undecided 
whether she could sacrifice what she called 
her pride and ask Tubby to “ go on proba- 
tion,” as he put it. 


CHAPTER IV 


Felipe’s request 

The next morning at breakfast, after Mr. 
Kingsley had patiently reminded Rosalia as 
usual not to put cinnamon into his chocolate, 
he announced that his important messages of 
the night before made it necessary for him to 
go to Velardeha, where he had mining in- 
terests. 

“ Oh, let me go too I ” begged Jean at once. 

I’ll have so much to do that I should not 
have time to look after you, Jean. It’s such a 
long, tiresome trip from here, we can’t ask 
Cousin Rachel to go with us. Besides, I’ll be 
gone only a little while, so I think it is best 
for you to stay here.” 

Jean’s face fell. 

‘‘ We’re afraid to stay here without you, 
Father Dick. Aren’t we. Cousin Rachel? 

Just think of being left all alone ” 

69 


70 


A Little Princess of the Patio 


Mr. Kingsley smiled at Jean's ready plea. 

“ You’ll not be left alone. Besides Escipidn, 
you will have some one else to protect you in 
my absence. I am going to arrange through 
the jefe politico to have a rurale^ here to 
guard you. I don’t suppose there is the least 
danger of anything’s happening, but I want to 
feel that you are perfectly safe.” 

Jean let her spoon fall with a great clatter. 

” Oh, do you mean one of those grand 
soldier-men with silver letters on their big 
felt hats and such big spurs on their boots 
and so many revolvers in their belts ? ” 

Cousin Rachel gave a little shriek. 

” Richard ! How can you consider us safe 
in the hands of one of those rurales? I 
hear that the ancestors of these men were 
bandits ! ” 

“ It’s true, they were,” answered Mr. 
Kingsley laughing, then going on to explain. 
” When the country underwent so many 
revolutions there were naturally many dis- 


^ Policeman. 


Felipe’s Request 71 

banded soldiers, as well as a plentiful sprink- 
ling of robbers and adventurers of all kinds. 
There was a rich harvest for robbers when 
the land was in such a state and robbery got 
to be almost a recognized profession. These 
men were too full of the love of excitement 
and adventure to settle down to any common- 
place way of earning their living. It was 
General Diaz who thought of a way to manage 
them. He offered to pay them royally if they 
would organize a corps for keeping peace and 
tracking other robbers and lawless men. Of 
course this appealed to the bandits, for it 
would mean an exciting life and a sure liveli- 
hood besides. 

“ So it came about that many bandits enlisted 
against their own kind. They became a fine 
guard, as well disciplined as any in the world, 
proud of their deeds of daring and their 
power. They knew the bandit’s ways from A 
to Z, and they made good use of their knowl- 
edge in hunting down the lawless. They 
came to be feared far more than an ordinary 


72 A Little Princess of the Patio 

soldier, and the name of rurale carried with it 
a certain dash and honor. So now every 
rurale is proud of the fact that he sprang 
from bandit forefathers. 

You needn^t be afraid to trust a rurale as 
your guard. I couldn’t place you in better 
hands, for no one would be more watchful or 
careful. It happens that I know the jefe 
politico quite well, so this arrangement to 
have a rurale established here is possible, 
though it is rather unusual unless there is 
cause to suspect danger.” 

Well, I feel much relieved now that you’ve 
explained what a rurale really is. I shall feel 
quite safe,” said Cousin Rachel, resuming her 
breakfast. 

Oh, I think it will be as thrilling as can 
be to have a rurale here in our own house,” 
decided Jean quickly. I hope he will bring 
all his daggers along.” 

** You feel quite reconciled now, don’t you, 
to staying at home ? ” teased her father. 

No-o,” Jean answered, hesitatingly. I’d 


Felipe’s Request 73 

rather go with you, but I’d like to take the 
rurale along.” 

'' I’m afraid it can’t be managed this time. 
I hope you’ll enjoy him as much as you 
think, for you may be a bit lonely. I am 
going 'to take Tubby with me.” 

“ Why, Father Dick,” protested Jean, “ I’ll 
not have any one to play with if you go and 
take Tubby too.” 

“ Tubby didn’t come down here to Mexico 
to play, Jean. He came to work, and I need 
him on this trip. I think you can find some 
way to amuse yourself.” 

If only Beatrice could come to visit me,” 
Jean sighed. There’ll not be a soul — unless 
perhaps Felipe, but he told about so many 
places where he goes I’m afraid he’ll not have 
time to come to my patio.” 

Felipe did find time to come to Jean’s patio 
that very day, after her father had gone. It 
was in the afternoon, when Jean was trying 
to divert herself with Amado, that Felipe ap- 


74 


A Little Princess of die Patio 


peared. He walked nimbly into the patio, 
handling his crutches with a deftness which 
was wonderful to Jean. He was not alone. 
Very close at his heels was a little boy, who 
bore the marks of recent weeping. He was 
still digging his fist into one eye when Felipe 
pulled him forward to introduce him to 
Jean. 

Heah, Lucio, stop yo’ cryin\ Nemmine 
yo’ troubles fo’ a minute. Don’ you want to 
get acquainted with yo’ neighbor? ” 

Lucio glanced half reluctantly at first, then, 
after a prolonged gaze, he rushed into Jean’s 
arms, which she extended to him involun- 
tarily. Felipe looked on with much approval 
at their acceptance of each other on such cor- 
dial terms. 

“ Ain’t he a li’l’ passe! o’ sweetness ? ” Felipe 
inquired of Jean. Ain’t hejes’ the fines’ li’l’ 
shaver yo’ evah did lay yo’ eyes on ? ” 

He’s a darling ! ” Jean cried, giving him 
another quick embrace, and smoothing his 
dark silken hair. “ Where did you get him ? ” 


Felipe’s Request 75 

** He lives jes^ catti-cornders from yo’ own 
house.” 

“ Why, that^s the jefe politico's house,” ex- 
claimed Jean in surprise. 

The jefe politico is in Mexico a person of 
authority who has the combined duties of a 
United States commissioner of police and 
mayor and Jean had been much interested in 
his house from the first, because it was unlike 
the other dwellings in the neighborhood. It 
was built of wood, instead of stone or mortar 
with a coat of stucco — the regulation material 
for a Mexican house. Because of its varied 
architecture the jefe's house presented quite a 
cosmopolitan air, which made Jean say that 
it “looked like a visitor” among the other 
dwellings. 

She had not noticed any one except the jefe 
himself, Senor Gonzales, and his servants go- 
ing in and out the house, so she was surprised 
to find that Lucio belonged there too. 

“ It sho'ly is,” announced Felipe. “ Fo' the 
jefe is Lucio's father.” 


76 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Why, Lucio doesn^t look just like a Mexi- 
can boy — his face is like theirs, but his hair 
is cut differently and his clothes are like any 
little boy's clothes from just anywhere most." 

Yes, fo' Lucio's lived roun' the world since 
he was bo'n — he’s father jus’ foun’ the way 
back to Mexico a few months ago when the ol’ 
jefe died an’ Sehor Gonzales took his place. 
Yo’ see li’l’ Lucio’s had the Mexican pa’ht 
rubbed off’n him, like his mother an’ his 
father have. They’re not real Mexicans no 
mo’ than their house is.’’ 

Can he understand English ? ’’ Jean asked 
interestedly. 

“ ’Deed he can, even if he’s not five yeahs ol’ 
yet. I reckon he understan’s English jes’ as 
well as his own mothah tongue, an’ he under- 
stan’s what I say too, don’ you, honey chile? 
An’ that’s not sho’ ’nough English like yo’ 
all talk. Mammy Zoe taught me her way 
first an’ I jes’ nachelly keep it up ; but I don’ 
care a teenchy tinechy bit what I talk lak, 
so’s people know what I mean. Lucio can 


77 


Felipe’s Request 

talk a li’r English, an^ some of my language, 
^long with his own. I know his language 
’cause I’ve lived down here in Mexico so long, 
so we get ’long fine as c’n be. Sometimes we 
have to use a mixture of all three ways o’ 
talkin’ to understan’ each other. Lucio, tell 
yo’ neighbor what yo’ got new at yo’ house. 
Tell her yo’ got a li’l’ new brothah.” 

Li’T new bruvver,” repeated Lucio beam- 
ingly. 

** An’ would yo’ believe it now, Lucio’s not 
seen the chile yet, an’ it’s a whole day ol’. 
That’s what the po’ li’l’ lamb’s been cryin’ 
about. Seems lak it’ll bre’k his heart.” 

Lucio’s lips began to quiver again and Jean 
tried to pacify him by putting Amado upon 
his shoulder. Lucio refused to be comforted, 
however. He could not stop brooding over 
his grievance. 

Until now, Lucio had thought he knew 
how to get all things, enchanted or otherwise. 
Since he had mastered the problem of night 
and day, and the much weightier problem of 


78 A Little Princess of the Patio 

which beguiling wiles to employ with his 
father and which with his mother, Lucio had 
considered nothing unattainable. He had 
grown to consider himself master of any situa- 
tion which might present itself. Now here 
was something baffling and new — a situation 
in which he did not seem to count. He was 
left out. He was allowed no part in the 
management of the new baby, and, most 
humiliating part of all — he was not even al- 
lowed to see him yet. The mere mention of 
it was enough to make him begin to cry 
again. 

“ Ev’ytime I say one word about his li’T 
brothah he starts to cry right off, but he keeps 
makin’ me say somethin^ all the time jes’ the 
same. He was teasin’ me all the way heah to 
tell him what a li’T new baby is like. I 
couldn’ tell him much, for I’ve nevah seen 
the very new ones. Maybe you could tell 
him.” 

'' A little new baby,” Jean exclaimed with 
shining eyes. Of course I can tell him, for 


79 


Felipe’s Request 

Pve seen lots of them and held them too, just 
for a minute, when mothers and nurses weren’t 
too dreadfully careful of them. Little new 
babies are plump and roly-poly, with dimples. 
They can’t speak a word of the language we 
speak — they have a language all their own 
which people who talk to them have to learn. 
They blink in a funny little way at the light, 
and after a while they try to catch the sun- 
shine in their hands when it comes their way.” 

Lucio chuckled — this was food for his 
imaginative little brain. Trying to catch the 
sunshine — what a silly thing to do ! Lucio 
had long since learned the uselessness of such 
an effort — he laughed with a feeling of superior 
wisdom. And to think that the new baby 
couldn’t use a word that other people use ! 
Lucio proudly thought over his own vocabu- 
lary, limited though it was, and marveled at 
the great ignorance of his little brother. 

What’ll baby talk like ? ” questioned 
Lucio, eager to learn whether Jean and Felipe 
knew how to speak this language. 


8o A Little Princess of the Patio 


Oh, you want to learn it, so you can talk 
to your little brother when you do see him ? 
asked Jean, understanding his motive at once. 
“ I can tell you a few words of the baby 
language, but I don’t know whether I can 
make you understand or not.” 

“ I’ll help out by puttin’ in a word or two 
of Spanish now an’ then so ’s to make Lucio 
get the c’rect idea,” said Felipe. 

Well, * Da-da-da,’ ” Jean explained, is an 
invitation to play. 

* Guh-guh ’ means ‘ I want to be taken 
up.’ Babies most always beat the air with 
their fists when they say this. 

** * E-e-eh ’ means that a baby’s having lots 
of fun being bad. He knows he’s worrying 
every one to death and he enjoys it. This is 
a very squealy word. 

** ‘ Uh-uh ’ means that he is bound to do 
whatever he has made up his mind to. 

* Fuh-fuh-fuh ’ has to be said drawing in 
your breath with your lips pressed together as 
if you were sucking an orange. A baby says 


Felipe’s Request 8i 

it when he is tired of everything and wants to 
be entertained or fed. 

* Kutcha-kutch ^ is used when a baby is 
thinking things over. It is a great deal like 
the grown-up expression ^ I will consider the 
matter.^ 

“ ‘ Quer-r-r ^ means * How horrid — take it 
away I ^ 

* Jih-jidge-jih ^ is about the worst thing a 
baby can say about people. It is just like 
turning your back to any one. A baby says 
it when he doesn^t like a person one bit. 

* Coo-o-o ^ is a baby^s sweetest word, for he 
always says it when he^s happy, after a nice 
bath or something perfectly delicious to eat. 

** These are about all the words of the baby 
language — at least all that I know, and IVe 
studied it very hard.’’ 

Lucio promptly began practicing the sounds 
as Jean repeated them for him. He thought 
the language a very primitive one, — so easy 
that he thought he had it in no time. 

** It’s not so easy as it seems,” Jean went 


82 A Little Princess of the Patio 


on. “ You see, the baby puts these words to- 
gether in all sorts of ways and sometimes it is 
very hard to catch what he says, for babies 
talk so fast and run their words together 
when once they get started. Then so much 
depends upon the accent. * Ah-goo ^ with the 
accent on ‘ goo ^ means ‘ I’m glad to see you,’ 
but with the accent on ‘ah’ it means ‘ I want 
to go along.’ There are lots and lots of ex- 
pressions like that. No, the baby language 
isn’t easy at all. It’s the hardest language 
I’ve ever tried to learn — worse than German 
even. No one has ever found out what some 
of the baby words mean — ‘ vitch ’ and ‘ wutsch ’ 
for instance. These are very Russiany words, 
made with a gurgle and a splutter. All 
babies say them, but no grown person has 
ever been able to translate them. I have 
tried hard to remember what they mean, for 
I must have said them myself once, but I 
can’t think. You must have said them too — 
do you know what they mean? Say them 
over and see if you can’t remember.” 


Felipe’s Request 83 

Jean looked at Lucio hopefully. She was 
always trying to find out about these two 
tantalizing words. 

‘ Vitch, wutsch, — vitch, wutsch/ ’’ re- 
peated Lucio obediently over and over, but 
without result. If he had ever known these 
expressions his memory was a complete blank 
now. He soon gave up the effort and in- 
quired about the size of a little new baby^s fist. 

111 tell yo’ why Lucio wants to know 
about his li’F brother's hands. He's made up 
his min' to be a railroad conductor, an' since 
the new baby's come along Lucio thinks he'll 
have a cah all fo' his own se'f an' make his 
liT brother the engineer." 

All this conversation about the new baby 
made Lucio wish more than ever to see him, 
and he again burst into weeping. 

Now, yo' po' chile, — this is the las' time 
I'm goin' to stan' bearin' yo' cry to see yo' 
own li'l' brothah," said Felipe, trying to com- 
fort him. Then turning to Jean, Felipe made 
the request for which he had come purposely. 


84 A Little Princess of the Patio 

I brought Lucio to see yo^ jes^ to get yo* to 
do somethin^ for him. It^s somethin^ I can^t 
do myse’f ’count o’ these crutches. I want 
yo’ to he’p him to get a look at his li’l’ 
brothah. He ce’tainly has the right to see 
him if any one has.” 

Then Felipe told his plan. Every one was 
quiet, he said, for the afternoon rest, Lucio’s 
mother and the nurses included. The new 
baby was kept in the room adjoining his 
mother’s. There were curtains between, and 
now no one was in there except the new baby, 
asleep too in his crib. It would be easy to go 
into the room from the door which opened to 
the patio. Felipe had been looking about 
carefully, and the thing could be done in a 
few seconds. It would make Lucio so happy, 
and there would be no harm in stealing a 
march on the family. They seemed to be 
taking their time about showing the baby to 
Lucio, and there was no use waiting any 
longer when it could all be done so simply. 
Felipe could not go himself, he explained, be- 


Felipe’s Request 85 

cause the tap-tap of his crutches would make 
too much noise. Jean and Lucio must slip 
in, he said, without any slippers on. 

Felipe’s finished appeal, combined with the 
longing in Lucio’s eyes, was too much for 
Jean to resist. Leaving Felipe to wait in the 
patio, she took Lucio by the hand and 
hurried across the road to his home. 

Once inside the patio, the rest was easy. 
Lucio indicated the door which opened to the 
room of their desire. It was slightly ajar and 
in a twinkling they slipped inside. 

The room was dark and shadowy at first. 
To their sun-blinded eyes, all objects appeared 
in vague outline for a few moments. As 
soon as their vision cleared, they saw some- 
thing white in the corner. The crib I 

They gave one glance at the drawn curtains. 
Not a sound came from the other room. They 
tiptoed nearer and peered into the crib. 

A great joy possessed Lucio. The new 
baby at last ! And no one about to say he 
shouldn’t see I Jean pushed him a little 


86 A Little Princess of the Patio 


nearer and Lucio lifted the corner of the 
coverlet very gently. There was a little hand 
— all doubled up. Truly a promising fist for 
his engineer ! Lucio drew the cover aside 
little by little and he caught his breath as he 
got a full look at the fiushed face of the 
sleeping baby. 

“ Li^V bruvver, — my li’r bruvver/’ breathed 
Lucio in an ecstasy of delight, patting the 
little hands caressingly. 

Then he leaned forward and gave the cover 
a sudden jerk. 

There was another little brother ! 

Lucio gazed in amazement at the two little 
figures and listened to their soft breathing. 
Then he looked indignantly at the first one. 

He^s brought his own conductor,’^ whis- 
pered Jean, in high excitement. 

Lucio’s face was very solemn. That same 
thought had fiashed into his own mind. They 
had come to crowd him out, he thought. He 
went through several rapid phases of feeling 
as he stood there contemplating the twins. 


Felipe’s Request 87 

Suddenly the lips of one moved. Was he 
talking in his sleep? Lucio leaned very 
close to hear. What did the baby^s lips whis- 
per ? 

Wasn’t itj* vitch ” as plain as could be — that 
word which no one could understand ? And 
now the other one’s mouth was pursing up 
suggestively. 

“ Wutsch,” gurgled number two softly. 

Lucio glared resentfully at them. Why 
couldn’t they say something he understood ? 
He had intended to say “ Ah-goo,” with a 
cordial accent on the second syllable, but now 
he had no inclination to voice such a wel- 
come. 

Jih-jidge-jih,” he said instead, very ex- 
plosively. 

Jean put her hand warningly over his 
mouth. 

It was too late. There was a stir in the 
other room. They heard the bustling of the 
nurse. They started to run into the patio. 

Lucio? ” called a mother-voice drowsily. 


88 A Little Princess of the Patio 


Lucio wavered. It had been a long, long 
time since he had heard his mother’s voice. 
Lucio reckoned time by a calendar of his own. 
He gave a baleful glance at the two little 
strangers in the crib. They had kept him 
away. 

Lucio ? ” repeated the voice questioningly. 

His mother had guessed his presence. 
Lucio could not resist the magic of that call. 
No matter what came of it he must answer. 

“ Mama I ” he cried with a half sob. Per- 
haps she could make everything right — even 
twin brothers. 

“ Maybe it’s only a passenger your en- 
gineer’s brought along,” whispered Jean com- 
fortingly, giving him a little shove toward the 
curtains. She could trust Lucio to the owner 
of that voice. 

With breathless haste, Lucio ran into the 
other room, leaving Jean to return alone to 
report developments to Felipe. 


CHAPTER V 


THE KESCUE PARTY 

When Jean returned to her patio, she found 
Felipe chatting with a visitor. 

Beatrice ! ” Jean exclaimed delightedly. 

“ I would have changed my dress before I 
came for one not quite so worn out as this 
frayed tea-party dress, the same one I had on 
the last time you saw me, but I couldn't 
change without mother's finding out. And 
then I couldn't have come ; because I've run 
away," she explained. 

I'm so glad to see you that I would never 
have noticed what you had on if you hadn't 
said something about it. Have you really run 
away ? However did you dare ? " asked Jean, 
whirling her around in delight. 

It was the broken-nosed statue of a flower- 

girl made me do it. I'd looked at her so long 
89 


90 


A Little Princess of the Patio 


and her crinkly glass flowers — I just couldn^t 
stand it another minute — and the clock ticked 
on and on and on, no matter how I hated to 
hear it, so I slipped away as soon as mother 
was settled for her nap/^ 

Felipe regarded her sympathetically. 

** I c’n nevah stan’ a clock tickin', myse’f. 
I jes* walk away as fas’ as I c’n crutch it. 
What’s the use o’ clocks anyhow, when the 
sun takes such a heap o’ trouble gettin’ up 
ev’y day to be the nices’ kin’ of timepiece for 
us? I c’n tell what time ’tis by shadders 
’thout a speck o’ work. That’s all I need.” 
Then Felipe turned to Jean with quick 
inquiry. Huccome you lef’ Lucio be- 
hind?” 

“ We got caught, because Lucio said the 
way he felt when he saw what was in the crib. 
Then he had to answer his mother and I ran 
off as fast as I could. What do you think ? 
Lucio has two little brothers instead of one ! ” 
Felipe collapsed, bearing his whole weight 
upon his crutches for a moment. 


91 


The Rescue Party 

I ^clare to goodness ! Li’P Lucio — he 
sho^ly is bo’n fort^nit havin’ two brothahs all 
his own se’f.” 

He doesn’t think so. He doesn’t like it 
one bit because there are two. You ought to 
have seen his face.” 

He nevah knows when he’s blessed, that 
chile Lucio. Look’s like he’d recognize twins 
as downright pahshality.” 

Oh, are they twins ? ” inquired Beatrice 
interestedly. 

“Of co’se they’s twins when they come 
’long together.” 

“ I’ve never seen a pair of twins, except 
kittens. Do they look alike, Jean ? ” 

“ Just exactly, and they whispered in their 
sleep at the same time too. One said * vitch ’ 
and the other said ‘ wutsch ’ — at least it 
sounded like that.” 

Vitch’ and * wutsch ’ soun’ like twin 
names t’ me. What say, we all call the li’l’ 
fellahs that ? ” 

Felipe’s suggestion met with instant ap- 


92 


A Little Princess of the Patio 


proval from Jean and Beatrice and to 
them the twins were henceforth Vitch and 
Wutsch. 

In their great interest, they had all stepped 
outside in order that they might at least gaze 
at the dwelling-place of the little newcomers. 
As the three turned to go back inside the 
patio, Jean gave a sudden exclamation. 

Look at that horse ! The poor thing — it^s 
all worn out, and it's so thin I don't believe 
it's ever had enough to eat." 

Around the corner two peons were leading 
a horse, which walked as if every step were 
an effort. Jean was interested, as always, in 
a horse and the sight of this dejected looking 
animal distressed her. 

I reck'n it'll not live long to suffer, po' 
beast. They're like enough goin' to use it in 
a bull-fight," said Felipe at once. 

Beatrice and Jean gave a little shriek of 
horror. 

‘‘What do you mean, Felipe? Will they 
put it in the bull-ring and let it get killed ? " 


The Rescue Party 93 

Jean asked, looking indignantly after the 
men as they jerked the horse along. 

“ It^s jes^ this way,” explained Felipe ; “ the 
matadore ” 

Who's the matadore ? ” interrupted Bea- 
trice. 

He's the man that sets out to kill the bull. 
All dressed' up in his fanciest clo'es, Mistah 
Matadore comes in the ring, ridin' a blind- 
folded boss. He hoi's his sword in one hand 
an' in the othah he has a mulete '' 

A mulete? '' 

A stick with some red silk on it. Jes' at 
first he don' show this, but when the picadors 
— the men runnin' around makin' the bull as 
mad as they c'n make it — have done all they 
can do, then Mistah Matadore flourishes his 
mulete roun' an' makes the bull look at him 
so's it'll come close enough to give him a 
chance to kill it. Co'se the bull runs for him, 
an' then there is a hippety-hop time, I can tell 
yo' fo' sho'. A matadore is so spry he c'n get 
off n the boss in no time, an' if the bull gets 


94 


A Little Princess of the Patio 


^em in a corner, that’s what Mistah Matadore 
does to save himse’f. Then the po’ hoss gets 
killed, o’ co’se. Sometimes a matadore has 
to have three or fo’ bosses befo’ he c’n put his 
sword in the bull’s neck or gets killed him- 
self. So the on’y bosses used in mos’ bull- 
fights are like that one — bosses gettin’ on 
todes their las’ days an’ not fit fo’ work 
any mo’, for they’re almost sho’ an’ cert’in to 
get killed. That’s why they don’ waste good 
bosses. Some o’ these peons jes’ make a 
practice of huntin’ wohn-out beasts an’ sellin’ 
’em for the bull-fights.” 

Jean had started to run after the men with 
the horse before Felipe had finished his last 
sentence. Before she had gone very far she 
remembered that she couldn’t talk to the men, 
so she hurried back for Felipe’s help. 

Come with me,” she begged, “ both of you, 
and let’s see if they really are going to do 
such a dreadful thing with this horse.” 

Felipe and Beatrice followed her as quickly 
as they could though Felipe remarked that he 


The Rescue Party 95 

saw no use of finding out when they couldn^t 
help. 

“ We can help/’ insisted Jean, we must.” 

The on’y way we could he’p ’d be to buy 
the boss.” 

‘‘Well, we can do that, can’t we? I have 
some money for some new dresses and I’ll give 
that. How much would it cost ? ” 

“ Not as much as yo’ new clo’es, I reck’n, 
but I c’n he’p out too,” Felipe said, feeling 
into his pockets, as if he were accustomed to 
finding there all that he wanted for anything. 
Beatrice eyed her soiled blue kid shoes for a 
moment. 

“ I haven’t any money to give, but I’ll give 
one of my rings toward it,” she said, pulling 
off one of her rings, which she still wore as 
reminders of past grandeur. 

Jean understood at once that the situation 
was galling to Beatrice, and she quickly ac- 
cepted the ring as a possible aid toward secur- 
ing the horse, then hurried back into the house 
for her own contribution. 


96 A Little Princess of the Patio 

“ See heah/’ said Felipe, when she came 
back, we^d bettah see if the hoss is fo^ sale 
befo^ we begin poolin’ our money.” 

“ Then let’s hurry, or it will get away from 
us,” urged Jean. 

There, it’s turning the corner now,” 
Beatrice observed, starting to run. 

Jean and Beatrice ran on ahead, leaving 
Felipe to follow as fast as he could, which was 
very fast indeed for one who went on crutches. 
Flushed and panting, the three finally over- 
took the two men and the horse as they were 
taking a little rest in the shade of a row of 
yuccas. 

Felipe asked a few questions and found out 
that he was right in thinking that the horse 
was going to be sold to the bull-ring. 

“ Tell him we want to buy it,” said Jean 
and Beatrice in one breath. 

Felipe promptly asked the men what they 
would sell the horse for. 

The men looked at each other and laughed. 
One of them pushed back his sombrero at a 


The Rescue Party 97 

more rakish angle and said they would sell 
the horse for twenty-five pesos. 

Felipe repeated this to Jean and Beatrice 
and Jean did a rapid problem in arithmetic. 

Why, that's over twelve dollars, because 
one peso is equal to about fifty cents of United 
States money. Father Dick says." 

“ Yes, an’ it’s five times too much for a 
horse like that,’’ Felipe said quickly. 

He had the shrewdness to see that the men 
were not bargaining as they would bargain 
with grown-ups. 

He promptly informed them that the horse 
wasn’t worth that much, and the men amused 
themselves for a few minutes pretending to 
agree upon a price with Felipe. They did this 
only because Felipe was such a remarkable 
little bargainer. 

They said finally that they really had no 
intention of selling the horse. 

“Oh, tell them that we’ll give them twenty- 
five pesos even if it is a lot too much,’’ pleaded 
Jean. 


98 A Little Princess of the Patio 

But the men said no, not even for twenty- 
five pesos would they sell their horse because, 
together with other' horses they had procured, 
it had to be used at once for a bull-fight. 
There might not be time to get another — 
besides they had found horses for the ring 
were not so easy to get as usual. They must 
deliver the number they had agreed to get. 
No, they could not sell this one — decidedly no. 

Not even with Beatrice's pretty ring 
thrown in ? ” persisted Jean, giving the ring to 
Felipe that he might hand it to the men for 
inspection. 

The men looked at the ring interestedly be- 
cause it was so unlike the Mexican rings. It 
would make a pretty present for his sweet- 
heart, one of the men remarked — she would 
like the blue stones — but no, not even with 
the ring thrown in would they sell the horse. 
Then, having had their rest, the peons rose 
and started on their way. 

Jean was so disappointed, she could hardly 
give up her plan of rescue. 


99 


The Rescue Party 

She could not bear to turn back, defeated, 
and let the horse he taken away to die in the 
bull-ring. Felipe encouragingly assured her 
there was a possibility the horse might get out 
alive. 

“Yes, but wouldn't he just be put back 
again for another fight ? ” Jean asked mourn- 
fully. 

Felipe had to admit that this was true, and 
they all sat down dejectedly to watch the men 
as they went down the road. 

“ They're stopping again ! " exclaimed 
Beatrice suddenly. 

“ They're goin' to get something to eat and 
drink, I s'pect," Felipe decided as he watched 
them tie the horse inside a little shed and 
turn toward a place where laborers could buy 
tortillas and “ chili con came ” (meat stew 
with red pepper) to eat, and black coffee and 
“ pulque dulce " (the sweet juice of the maguey 
plant), if they preferred, to drink. 

Jean watched them with absorbed in- 
terest. 


loo A Little Princess of the Patio 

How long will it take them ?” she asked 
as the peons disappeared within the doorway 
of the little tumble-down building. 

I reckon consid’ble time — peons nevah 
get in a hurry when theyVe eatin’.’^ 

Then — then let^s run get the horse/' sug- 
gested Jean excitedly. We'll leave the 
money and the ring where the horse was tied. 
Will you do it? " 

‘‘ I will," assented Beatrice promptly. She 
was so eager for a bit of excitement that she 
would stop at nothing. 

Felipe hesitated. 

We'd sho'ly get caught," he objected. 

Maybe we wouldn't — if we’re quick 
enough — and even if we do, what difference 
does it make? We could give the horse 
back," insisted Jean, all aglow with her 
plan. 

*‘We might get arrested — so many p’lice- 
men standin' around here in Mexico,” cau- 
tioned Felipe. They arrest people fo' mos' 
nothin'.” 


lOl 


The Rescue Party 

“ They arenT standing around now. I 
don^t see one even. Maybe they^re refreshing 
themselves too.^^ 

Lak ^nough they are, but they’ll lakely 
pop up any secon’.” 

I don’t care if they do. I think it would 
be fun to be arrested,” said Beatrice, quite 
reckless in her quest of adventure. 

“ I’d like to find out myself what it’s like 
to be arrested,” Jean agreed heartily. 

** Well, let’s try it — no mattah what up an’ 
happens,” finally assented Felipe. 

So the three hurried to the shed where the 
horse was tied. They took a route somewhat 
circuitous, as Felipe wisely suggested, to 
avoid possible observation by the peons, who, 
it was to be hoped, however, were too busy 
eating and drinking to look out-of-doors 
often. 

This is the most accommodating shed I ever 
saw,” observed Jean, when they discovered 
that it had an entrance from what was sup- 
posedly the back of the structure. 


102 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Felipe’s nimble fingers undid the rope halter, 
while Beatrice kept a sharp lookout around 
the corner of the shed, and Jean busily tied 
the payment up in a handkerchief. 

We’ll leave only ten pesos. That’s mo’n 
enough. No use lettin’ low down peons rob 
us. Ten pesos an’ the ring cert’inly pays fo’ 
this animal sev’ral times ovah.” 

‘‘ Now write something on a piece of paper 
so they’ll understand,” suggested Jean hold- 
ing the halter while Felipe fumbled for pencil 
and paper in his well-filled pockets. 

“What are you writing?” Jean asked 
curiously as Felipe’s stub of a pencil fiew over 
a bit of yellow wrapping paper. 

“ I jus’ said to ’em heah’s the money fo’ the 
horse that use to belong to ’em.” 

The paper was duly tied with the handker- 
chief in a conspicuous place where the horse 
had been tied and Jean triumphantly led the 
horse out of the shed. Once outside the three 
looked at one another blankly. Each one was 
struck by the same thought. 



THE three children WERE STARTLED 



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The Rescue Party 103 

We're stealing," said Jean with a sudden 
realization of exactly how their act should be 
labeled. 

We certainly are," agreed Felipe. 

“ What shall we do ? " gasped Beatrice, 
looking anxiously down the road. 

We'll have to put the horse back," said 
Jean decisively. “ It isn't right to take it even 
if we leave the money for it." 

Felipe jerked at the halter and they tried to 
turn the old horse around. 

“ He doesn't want to go back," said Jean as 
the horse resisted. “ I wish he didn't have to, 
but we can’t steal him, can we ? " 

Beatrice and Felipe promptly agreed that 
stealing was out of the question, and the three 
of them prodded the obstinate animal back to 
his place in the shed. 

Just as they were tying the halter, they 
were surprised by the voices of the men right 
behind them. 

The three children were too much startled 
to speak and defend themselves when the 


104 A Little Princess of the Patio 

excited peons burst forth into a torrent of ex- 
clamations. 

Tell them we werenT going to steal their 
horse, Felipe,” whispered Jean finally as she 
watched the wild gesticulations of the peons 
anxiously. 

Felipe explained very carefully to the 
peons what they had originally intended to 
do — then why they changed their minds. 

The peons looked at the payment which 
Jean held in her hand, still tied in the hand- 
kerchief, and they threw back their heads and 
laughed. 

Were they really going to leave the pretty 
ring with the blue stones in it? ” asked the one 
who had been so interested in Beatrice’s ring. 

Jean untied the handkerchief and disclosed 
the ten pesos and the ring. 

The Mexican reached out his hand. The 
ring looked even more attractive to him than 
before. Truly it would give his sweetheart 
pleasure — he must have it for her. 

He turned to his companion and they 


05 


The Rescue Party 

had a rapid conversation in an undertone. 
Finally, they announced that they would sell 
their horse after all. For the ten pesos and 
the ring the horse was theirs. 

Jean thrust the money into their hands 
and Felipe quickly untied the halter again. 

What shall we do with him now that he 
belongs to us ? ” asked Beatrice as they were 
leading the horse outside again. 

Get on, Felipe, an^ ride lickety-cut 
to my house, because it's nearest," suggested 
Jean. 

With the aid of his crutch and Jean's 
strong arms, Felipe got on the horse’s back. 

“ Lan' sakes ! I reck'n I'm sittin' on a 
skel'ton," exclaimed Felipe. “ Nemmine, I 
c’n stall' it 's well as the po’ beast.” 

Jean and Beatrice carried Felipe’s crutches 
and ran along easily as fast as the old horse 
could go. 

It seems as if the horse is just crawling,” 
Jean exclaimed. 

If I go lickety-cut, as you said, the hoss’ll ^ 


io6 A Little Princess of the Patio 


nevah get there alive/^ Felipe remarked as 
they labored over a stretch of cobblestones. 

“ The sun's dreadfully hot," said Beatrice 
plaintively. 

Felipe ventured to prod the horse on a bit 
and it went through an alleyway almost at a 
gallop. 

At length, they reached Jean's home. Into 
the patio, through the outside entrance, they 
rushed, steed and all. 

There they found an imposing looking 
rurale walking up and down, leisurely swing- 
ing his huge gray hat, gorgeous with its silver 
initials. He looked at the excited trio in 
amazement. 

“ Oh, you are the rurale Father Dick got to 
guard us," Jean cried when she had intro- 
duced herself. I'm so glad you're here, so 
you can help us decide what to do with our 
new horse." 

Pedro, the rurale, listened to their story 
with much amusement. Certainly he would 
help them, he said, but in the meantime the 


The Rescue Party 107 

horse must be cared for. It looked very 
hungry and thirsty. 

Pedro went away to get something for the 
horse to eat and the three of them spent the 
interval of waiting trying to decide upon a 
name for the horse. 

I think Pegasus would be a nice name/^ 
suggested Jean, “ because the first Pegasus 
was such a nice horse.’^ 

'' Who did he belong to ? I nevah hu^d of 
him,” said Felipe, unimpressed. 

Nor I,” echoed Beatrice. 

“ Pegasus was a winged horse, and belonged 
to the muses in olden times. He did won- 
derful things. He struck a blow with his 
foot upon a rock and made a fountain 
come bubbling out — a fountain that made 
poets.” 

Huccome it do that? ” 

Why, when people drank the water they 
could make up poetry, I guess ; or maybe the 
fountain was so beautiful it made people poet- 
ical just to look at it. I’m not sure which it 


io8 A Little Princess of* the Patio 


was. Then instead of dying like a common 
horse Pegasus became a constellation, and 
now he makes four stars all set in a square in 
the sky. Father Dick showed them to me 
the other night .right over our patio. I 
couldn’t see anything except the four stars, 
but I could imagine the rest of Pegasus as 
easy as could be. He did lots of wonderful 
things before he became a constellation, and 
that’s why I think it would be nice to have 
his name for our horse.” 

“I don’ care — on’y I think it’s a pretty 
highfalutin name fo’ this ol’ hoss. If he 
should strike a blow with his hoof ’pon a 
rock, he’d tum’le down lak enough. An’ his 
ol’ hoofs and bones don’ look much like stars 
c’d evah be made outen ’em, but I s’pose he’d 
bettah have a nice kin’ o’ name, after all the 
trouble he’s made us.” 

** If he has a nice name it will help him to 
be a good horse,” approved Beatrice. “ Like 
your name of princess must help you, Jean, to 
be like a princess.” 


The Rescue Party 109 

Jean sighed. For a moment all the color 
of their glowing adventures turned to gray. 

I’m not a princess any more, Beatrice. 
I’ve lost my name because I wasn’t the kind 
of princess Tubby thought I ought to be, so 
he took the name back.” 

“ Why, he’s an Indian-giver, taking any- 
thing back like that ; he ought to be ashamed 
of himself,” protested Beatrice sympathetic- 
ally. 

Pedro’s cornin’ back again,” announced 
Felipe, interrupting their conversation. 

After Pegasus was duly fed, they all dis- 
cussed the problem of how he was to be cared 
for permanently. 

I have a li’l donkey, an’ if there was 
room I’d take Pegasus to live with us, but 
there’s not a spec’ of room ’cept what my 
donkey has to have.” 

With much satisfaction they watched the 
horse leisurely enjoy his meal. 

He must be some place where he can 
have all he wants to eat all the time,” said 


no A Little Princess of the Patio 

Beatrice, determined that their charge should 
be well cared for. 

Pedro assured them that the horse was not 
so old — he was only very much overworked 
and starved. If he only had a nice place to 
rest in, he would soon look like a different 
horse. 

This gave Felipe an inspiration. He knew 
such a place — a plantation just out of town. 
It belonged to a good friend of his, Sefior 
Martinas, who was very rich and very kind. 
He would take Pegasus gladly. Once in his 
hands Pegasus would have nothing to fear 
from any one. 

Pedro suggested that his friend Fernando 
might take the horse out for them that night. 
It was moonlight, and Fernando would do it 
for a small sum. 

So it was arranged. First Felipe would 
take Pegasus home and feed him well. At 
nightfall, Fernando would start forth with 
Pegasus and a note of explanation from 
Felipe to Sehor Martinas who would not re- 


The Rescue Party in 

sent being awakened at an unseemly hour, 
Felipe was sure, when he learned the cause. 

Oh, I hope Pegasus will get nice and fat, 
then maybe we can ride him,’’ Jean said, 
looking into the future hopefully. 

He sho’ly will get fat if Senor Martinas 
looks after him,” assured Felipe, with all con- 
fidence in his friend. 

As soon as Pegasus had had all he wanted 
to eat, Felipe requested that he be allowed to 
show their charge to Mammy Zoe before Fer- 
nando took him away. 

Pedro helped Felipe remount Pegasus, 
and adroitly managing his crutches with one 
hand while he guided with the other, Felipe 
started off home. 

Sakes alive — I c’n jes’ see Mammy Zoe 
now, showin’ all the whites o’ her eyes when 
she sees this hoss Pegasus,” he said, as he 
rode off in great glee. 


CHAPTER VI 


AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 

When Jean wrote the particulars of the ex- 
citing afternoon to her father, she enclosed a 
note to Tubby which bore the all important 
communication that she had decided, after all, 
that she wanted to go on probation and try to 
be a princess again. No one but Jean herself 
knew what a struggle it cost her to write this 
and she was somewhat chagrined when, later, 
she received Tubby^s reply. 

He wrote at length about their trip and 
told her many interesting things about a part 
of Mexico which was entirely different from 
Orizaba. He had much to say about Mexican 
mines. He thought he would like to work in 
a Mexican smelter. Then, in a postscript, ap- 
parently added as an afterthought he wrote : 

It will be all right about your going on 
probation.^’ 

“Just as if it didn’t amount to anything,” 
112 


An Unexpected Visitor 113 

she remarked to Cousin Rachel to whom she 
read the letter. 

I suppose Tubby has a number of things 
to think of besides your being a princess,” 
answered Cousin Rachel, her eyes twinkling 
at Jean^s discomfiture. 

I suppose he has,” admitted Jean. 

A sudden new fear came into her mind. 
Perhaps Tubby would be so busy that he 
would forget altogether about her wanting to 
be a princess. Yet, much as she wished him 
to remember, she could not bring herself to 
mention the subject when she answered his 
letter. Her letter was very short, for, as she 
explained, she had so many letters to write to 
people who had never seen Mexico, that she 
couldnT spend much time writing to any one 
who was fortunate enough to be there himself 
and it took her a long time to write because 
she had to draw part of her letters. 

Her letters to Greek ” Harden and her 
other friends at Saint Catherine's were full 
of drawings, because words failed her when 


114 A Little Princess of the Patio 

she tried to describe things. She had had a 
very difficult time making Greek understand 
what her patio was like, and “ Tops Penning- 
ton seemed to have no conception of a plaza 
until she saw Jean's drawings. 

My patio is not a yard exactly," Jean 
explained to Greek. “ It looks like this : 



down-stairs from my patio where you see 
the doors. The house is built all around 


An Unexpected Visitor 115 

it. The cross is the fountain — I canT make 
it — but I guess you can tell which the flowers 
are by the leaves. You really have to see a 
patio to realize how beautiful it is. I have 
spent a long time trying to draw this but it 
doesn’t show what a pretty place my patio is.” 

For Tops she drew a plaza. 

Plazas are not exactly alike, but they 
look so much the same that you can always 
tell a plaza when you see one. A plaza is 
often like this : 



Most always the peons, or lower class 


ii6 A Little Princess of the Patio 


Mexicans, walk around the outside square 
and the other people use the inside walks. 
There are no signs up to say where to walk, 
but every one seems to know that this is the 
way plazas are managed. In some places 
though it doesn't make any difference. Al- 
most anybody who hasn't ragged clothes on 
may walk on the inside circular walks. I like 
the plazas best that aren't such particular 
places. What difference does it make, when 
people are so close to one another, anyhow ? 

Everybody can go to the plaza, but you 
mustn't think that it is like a little square in 
the United States, where people out of work 
sit around. A plaza is a free place, but that 
doesn't make it horrid. It may seem un- 
United States for nice people to dress up and 
walk about in a public square, but when you 
are here it seems quite natural, like eating 
and drinking. Every one goes, rich and poor ; 
all classes are all mixed up like hash. There 
is a band in the centre that pla3^s while people 
stroll round and round. Sometimes the music 


An Unexpected Visitor 117 

is very bad, but every one likes to listen. I 
like to go because I can see all kinds of 
people, and it is fun to get so close to powdered 
Mexican ladies with mantillas on their heads 
and Indians wearing blankets. Rosalia goes 
too, and Pedro, and Escipidn with all their 
friends. It is like going to a big party. 
Cousin Rachel and Father Dick like it too, 
so we go very often.” 

Jean spent many an afternoon in the shady 
corner of her patio at her drawings. One day 
she made two drawings for the Gold Eagle 
Man — a picture of a water jug which was 
curiously shaped like a duck : 



and a terra-cotta '‘carita” or mask “ made once 
upon a time by the Mexican Indians to bury 
with their dead,” she wrote, and found by 


ii8 A Little Princess of the Patio 


Pedro in the village of Mitla, where he had a 
great adventure with a bandit/^ 

She^ vas looking at these drawings very 
critically, when she suddenly became con- 
scious of another presence. She looked 
slowly, inquiringly around. Instinctively 
she rose. 

** Don't be afraid." 

The sound of the low voice came unmistak- 
ably from the entrance. Something in the 
voice made Jean's heart stop fluttering and 
stayed her inclination to run into the house. 
Pedro was off with Escipion for a little while, 
and all the rest of the household too busy, as 
usual at that time in the afternoon, to be in 
the patio. 

Jean peered around into the entrance cor- 
ridor. 

Then something within her leaped buoy- 
antly. The image of the Adventurer she had 
dreamed of encountering some time danced be- 
fore her eyes. The same delicious dread 
which always attended these imaginings stole 


An Unexpected Visitor 119 

over her now. She had looked for him often 
in dark closets, around spooky corners and 
under the bed at night. At last he had 
surely come I 

She walked toward the voice. 

There in the entrance way, half-crouching, 
half-lying, was a tall dark man with his soft 
felt hat drawn low over his face. His arm 
was in a sling. 

Jean was quite unafraid when she looked 
into his eyes. 

Are you trying to get into our house to 
steal ? she asked severely. 

With a half laugh and a shake of his head, 
the man tried weakly to stand. 

You are hurt,^^ cried Jean in quick pity. 

“ Only a little — Vll be all right when I get 
over my hurry to find a place to hide.^^ 

“ To hide ? breathed Jean. What for ? 
vThe man regarded her for a moment. 

“ To get out of the way of some rurales who 
have tracked me from the mountains.^’ 

Jean's eyes widened. 


120 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Why are they trying to get you ? She 
asked the question as if she fully expected the 
truth. 

The man made another searching of Jean’s 
eyes. He felt an irresistible impulse to speak 
freely to her. It had been long since he 
had dared give himself that privilege. 
Whimsically, recklessly he answered her 
question. 

“ Because they think I’ve done some- 
thing criminal against the Mexican govern- 
ment.” 

Have you done this something ? ” ques- 
tioned Jean, gazing at him as if fascinated. 

“ No,” answered the man looking at her 
squarely. 

** Then what makes you run away ? ” cross- 
questioned Jean. 

Because I can’t prove just now that I 
didn’t do the thing, and if they find me they 
will kill me, or put me in prison for the rest 
of my life. I have to run away whether I 
want to or not. I’ve been hunted for years, and 


An Unexpected Visitor 121 

they've just got fresh track of me. You see, 
circumstantial evidence is all against me. 
Do you know what circumstantial evidence 
is?" 

Jean shook her head vaguely. 

It's evidence that makes every one think 
I did it. I can't help the evidence, so I must 
keep from getting caught, if possible," the 
man went on. I have to save my life if I 
can, because " 

He hesitated, and Jean knew that he hadn’t 
run away because he was afraid. 

“ Because why ? " 

Because I must live — for the sake of my 
little boy." 

Jean came closer to him. 

Come inside my patio." 

The man looked at her gratefully, and 
dragged himself inside the patio. Once there 
he sat down and relaxed with a feeling of 
security — but only for a moment. From out- 
side came sounds which made him spring to 
his feet alertly. 


122 


A Little Trincess of the Patio 

“ The rurales ! ” he cried with a quick 
drawing in of his breath. 

Get behind the palms — lie down flat/^ 
Jean said quickly, showing him her little 
retreat in the corner, screened by high palms. 
He sank upon the serape like a hunted 
animal as the rurales walked into the en- 
trance. It did not seem likely to them that 
their man could be here, but they thought it 
would be best to have a look, at any rate. 

They saw Jean watering her flowers in ap- 
parent absorption. Jean looked up and 
greeted them with a smile. Did they want to 
see Pedro? He was perhaps their friend, 
since he was a rurale too. 

At once the men’s quick glances spied 
Pedro’s saddle lying on the patio walk. The 
high pommel for the lasso ended in the usual 
disc ornamented with silver after the fashion 
of all rurales’ saddles. They needed nothing 
more to convince them of a rurale’s presence. 
Why was he there ? 

As soon as the men found out that Pedro 


An Unexpected Visitor 123 

was acting as guard to the household, they 
turned away quickly. Of course, then, their 
man could not find a hiding-place there. 

With great relief Jean answered their 
Adi6s,’^ and watched them remount and 
ride quickly away. 

They have gone/^ she announced finally 
to the man. 

With much relief he came out from his 
hiding-place. He walked restlessly about for 
a few moments, then sat down as if from 
exhaustion. As he did so he buried his face 
in her flowers. 

Azaleas, violets, gardenias, camellias,” he 
said softly, touching each kind slowly, caress- 
ingly. 

Do you like them ? ” she asked curiously. 

“ Yes ; I had a garden myself once.” 

You did ? ” cried Jean, more in eagerness 
than surprise. Where ? ” 

She could not quite determine where the 
man^s garden might have been. She did not 
know the Castilian type, and his speech was 


124 


A Little Princess of the Patio 


without accent. She thought, however, that 
he was not an American. 

In Spain, he answered reminiscently. 

I had flowers like some of these and many 
others. It^s been a long time ago, but I fancy 
IVe not forgotten one of them.^^ 

‘‘ What is this ? questioned Jean, touching 
some scarlet salvia, as if challenging his 
garden knowledge. 

“ Salvia,’^ he answered promptly. 

Do you know what this is too ? She 
caressed her fragrant iris. 

Iris — an old friend of mine. Have you 
any lavender dahlias ? 

He looked around interestedly. 

Yes, there on the other side of the foun- 
tain, by my roses. Aren^t my violets as 
sweet as they can be? 

There's nothing like them. I had them 
too." He closed his eyes as if for memory 
pictures. 

What else did you have in your garden ? " 
asked Jean eagerly. 


An Unexpected Visitor 125 

He was no longer the Adventurer to her, 
but a comrade spirit who loved flowers. 

Poppies, lots of red poppies, and every 
kind of rose under the sun, I guess. Foxglove 
too. I used to think the elves wore the fox- 
glove blossoms for caps. I half believe it yet.^’ 

“ I do too,” Jean said laughing and nod- 
ding her head. 

I had trees, too, in my garden.” 

‘‘Sometimes I think if I could just have 
trees in my patio, it would make it perfect — 
but then of course it wouldn't be a patio any 
longer, and I love it as it is.” 

“ It is the prettiest patio I've ever seen, and 
I've been in a good many.” 

He reached out instinctively to turn a pot 
of lilies to a more effective position. 

“ Your arm 1 ” exclaimed Jean with concern, 
suddenly noticing a fresh blood-stain upon 
his bandage. “You ought to have a clean 
bandage.” 

Without listening to his protest, she ran 
into the house to the little medicine-chest 


126 A Little Princess of the Patio 

which Cousin Rachel considered quite as im- 
portant in the house as food. 

Jean came back with some soft gauze and 
bandages. With mingled reluctance and 
willingness, he let her undo the stained 
dressing. She started when she saw how 
deep his wound was. 

Why, how you have hurt yourself! It 
would make me cry 1 

His lips twitched with a queer little smile 
at her sympathy. 

‘ Don’t speak to the soldier of his 
wounds,’ ” he quoted with a carelessness Jean 
could not understand. 

She set to work in silence to dress the 
wound. Very gently her fingers wound the 
bandage round and round the way Cousin 
Rachel had taught her. 

“ Ah, that is good 1 ” he cried gratefully, 
when the dressing was done. 

There was a stir in the sala and the man 
started to his feet. Jean moved to the door 
to see who was coming. 


An Unexpected Visitor 127 

** What are you going to do ? ** 

The man’s tall form towered straight before 
her as he confronted her with the question. 
There was nothing but even questioning in 
his tone — no fear, no pleading, no threaten- 
ing. 

Jean stood looking at him hesitatingly. 

“ You might make it known at once that a 
refugee is in your patio,” he continued, half 
smiling at her. 

Still Jean could not find speech. Suddenly 
the perplexity in her face vanished. Into 
her mind fiashed some of Copley Stuart’s 
beloved lines — the cry of a man running from 
justice. He did not ask for words of cheer 
nor even a friendly signal of courage. His 
was the cry of one who had heard and en- 
dured taunts and sneers when shining 
pageants passed him, lying in the dust. He 
had heard only jeers for the race he was 
running, yet he asked nothing, except that 
he should be allowed to pass on. Just that — 
his one cry — to pass on. The lines came like 


128 A Little Princess of the Patio 


a message from Copley Stuart himself. He 
was a poet she had known and loved at home. 
She knew now what to do. 

Her lips began to move, and as the man 
leaned nearer, he caught the words : 

‘ Oil, pity, ye who look on me 
And for the Christ-Ohild^s sake 
Let me pass on.’ 

Then she took a step or two nearer the sala 
door as if standing between the man and 
possible capture. 

I'm going in the house now," she said 
simply, to keep whoever is there from 
coming out for a little while and when I 
come back you'll be gone. Take the road 
north, for the rurales went the other way." 

“You mean " 

The man looked at her steadily. 

“ I mean that I'm going to let you pass on," 
she answered steadily. 

The man's lips twitched. 

“ If my little boy could only thank you," 
he said brokenly. 


An Unexpected Visitor 129 

S-sh/’ said Jean softly as the footsteps in 
the house came nearer. I must go, or you’ll 
be found.” 

She hurried into the house and detained 
Rosalia by asking for something to eat. 

Later she walked out into the patio and 
looked a long time down the road. 

I’ve imagined it a lot of ways,” Jean said 
to herself, “ the way an Adventurer might 
come, but nothing like this ever came into 
my head. I never dreamed that it would be 
like this.” 

She wished that there had been time to 
ask about his little boy. The flowers had 
made her forget for a while, but she had 
wanted to know all about him. 

Her Cousin Rachel interrupted her musing 
by calling her to supper. With her mind 
aglow, but with a seal of silence upon her 
lips, Jean went back indoors. 

“ After he is far enough away to be safe,” 
she said to herself, then I’ll tell about my 
unexpected visitor.” 


CHAPTER VII 


A MOUNTAIN TEIP 

One morning when Jean came back with 
Felipe from a visit to see Lucio^s little twin 
brothers, she found her father waiting for her 
in the patio. 

Father Dick I she cried, rushing into his 
arms. Why didn’t you tell me you were 
coming back ? ” 

“ I didn’t know myself until half an hour 
before I started. Then I thought I’d surprise 
you. I gpt away sooner than I expected.” 

Jean , clung to him in a way which ex- 
pressed how lonely she had been without 
him, and how glad she was to have him back. 
Felipe watched them wistfully for a few mo- 
ments, then despite their invitation for him 
to remain, he started home. 

** I mus’ be hoppin’ along. I reck’n 
Mammy Zoe’ll be lookin’ ’round fo’ me,” he 
130 


A Mountain Trip 


131 


said with a brave attempt at cheerfulness, 
though his heart was heavy with loneliness. 

Jean watched him sympathetically as he 
went along slowly down the road. 

What would it be like to be all alone, like 
Felipe?” she said, with renewed realization 
of what her father’s love and protection 
meant to her. 

“ I wish we could take Felipe with us on 
our mountain trip, but we can’t do that, be- 
cause his lameness would hamper him so.” 

‘‘Our mountain trip?” questioned Jean in 
surprise. 

“ I shall have a few days of leisure now, 
and I think it will be a good time/i^or.. ns to 
take a little camping trip on Citlaltepetl.’^^^’^ 

“ Oh, let’s climb clear to the top 1 ” 

“That will not be possible^ The mountain 
is too high and the ascent ^oo dangerous. 
The top has been reached very seldom. 
We’ll have to be content with a little trip as 
far as we find we can travel with pleasure. 
It’s rather uncertain just how the trip will 


132 A Little Princess of the Patio 

turn out. I think you’ll have to be prepared 
to bear a little discomfort, perhaps a great 
deal.” 

“ I don’t care how uncomfortable I am, just 
so I can go,” Jean answered enthusiastically. 

If Pedro and the rest of our party just feel 
the same way, then we needn’t be afraid to 
start out, no matter what happens.” 

If Pedro goes, who will guard Cousin 
Rachel?” 

His friend Fernando will come to stay at 
the house in his place. We’ve been talking 
it over, Pedro and I — while I was waiting for 
you.” 

Mr. Kingsley went about his preparations 
for the trip with his usual promptness, and 
Escipi6n and Pedro were sent out at once to 
select the road and engage donkeys for the 
baggage, as well as the necessary men to take 
along. Arrangements were made to start the 
following day. Jean was kept busy for hours 
trying to decide what to take with her in the 
small packing-case which her father said 


A Mountain Trip 133 

should hold all her necessities. He had told 
her that they were going to experience every 
variety of climate, from the tropical to the 
north temperate, so she found it hard to get 
what she thought she needed into such lim- 
ited space ; but with Cousin Rachehs help, she 
accomplished the feat at last. 

The next morning at sunrise they started 
out on the road which leads north to La 
Perla, a picturesque little place which snug- 
gles at the base of the Sierra. 

Bring me back an armadillo,^^ requested 
Tubby of Jean as she mounted her mule. 
** I J1 be peggin^ away at work, waitin^ for 
it.’^ 

And donT let the rattlesnakes and scor- 
pions bite you,^^ Cousin Rachel cautioned her 
for the fiftieth time. It does seem to me 
you are walking right into danger of all 
kinds.’^ 

Danger ^s at one^s door-step as often as any- 
where else,” said Mr. Kingsley lightly. “ It 
has been so long since IVe had a vacation, 


134 A Little Princess of the Patio 

I’m not going to spoil it by imagining any- 
thing unpleasant.” 

Pedro tightened the last pack-strap, and the 
party was off. 

The peak of Citlaltepetl gleamed so clearly 
in the morning sun that it was hard to be- 
lieve it was so far away. The roads were 
good and the party made good headway. 
Jean had never been so far out of Orizaba be- 
fore, and though she had often imagined what 
it would be like she had never dreamed the 
road could lead to any places so fascinating. 
They soon reached a gorge where the vegeta- 
tion was very luxuriant, and Jean knew at 
last what natural tropical growth is like. 
The plane trees with the magnolias and the 
oaks made beautiful archways. There seemed 
to be no spaces between the trees. Long cur- 
tains of moss hung from the branches and, as 
if the grace of the moss itself were not enough 
to perfect the beauty, here and there were 
flaming orchids, reddish blue tillandsias and 
quaint lichens apparently springing directly 


A Mountain Trip 135 

out of the moss. Ferns crowded in every 
possible place between the trees. 

‘‘The ferns are so natural, yet they look ar- 
ranged too,” exclaimed Jean. “ They’re just as 
pretty as if they’d been put just so in a fern- 
ery by some one who knew how to make them 
show off best.” 

“ Nature is more artistic in her arrange- 
ment than any of us can ever hope to be,” 
remarked Mr. Kingsley, who was enjoy- 
ing the beauty of the scene quite as much as 
Jean. 

There were thousands of little humming 
creatures about the moss clusters, and when 
Jean could get close enough she stopped sev- 
eral times to try to find out what they were, 
but she succeeded in only frightening them 
away. 

The slope north was gentle and gradually 
the vegetation grew less tropical. They 
passed the mimosas, yuccas, myrtles and aca- 
cias, and near La Perla the first tree-ferns tow- 
ered along their way. 


136 A Little Princess of the Patio 

“ The trees are our thermometers/’ Mr. 
Kingsley said as they began the ascent. 

WeTl soon leave the tree-ferns behind and 
have pine trees instead, which means well 
not suffer from the heat.” 

The mountain road through Tuzantla was 
thick with pines. They were very like Jean’s 
pines at Wahcaska Win Lodge, up in Min- 
nesota, which used to whisper Wazi Itan- 
canwin ” to her. Her new acquaintances 
were saying something too. Jean listened 
closely. What was it they were saying? 

Wazi-Itancanwin-that-was, Wazi-Itancan- 
win-that-was,” they sighed over and over as 
she passed along. Jean bent her head sor- 
rowfully and began to ride so fast that her 
father had to call her back. 

The ascent was not hard until they neared 
Xometla. 

** Why, some of these steep places are as 
smooth as a toboggan-slide,” exclaimed Jean 
as the party struggled along up the slippery 
clay track. 


137 


A Mountain Trip 

Julio, the herdsman, who had consented to 
come with them from Tuzantla as guide, ex- 
plained that the wood-cutters had hauled so 
much timber along this track that it was 
worn smooth. It was kept slippery by the 
constant showers. 

When they arrived at the place selected for 
the camp there was a heavy mist over every- 
thing. Scarcely had the men put up the 
tents before a heavy downpour came. 

Julio informed them they might expect just 
such rain every day until they ascended 
where it was not so wet. 

Jean shivered in her heavy sweater and 
rubber coat, and said she didn’t think she 
wanted to stay there at all, but she changed 
her mind the next morning when she woke 
up to find the sun shining so gloriously. The 
place looked so different in the sunlight, Jean 
could scarcely believe that it was the same 
place she had seen the evening before. 

We’d better make the most of our time,” 
said her father, and explore while the sun 


138 A Little Princess of the Patio 

shines. Julio says it’s sure to rain about noon 
again.” 

Julio went about with them very willingly. 
He could explain everything, for he seemed 
to be a born naturalist. Pedro interestedly 
interpreted everything Julio said which Mr. 
Kingsley could not understand. 

Julio’s Spanish is not much like the 
Spanish language I’m just beginning to mas- 
ter,” Mr. Kingsley said after Julio had spent 
several minutes transferring information via 
Pedro. 

Language is so queer — it keeps people 
away from one another, doesn’t it? Some- 
times it does that even if people are born 
with the same language,” mused Jean, think- 
ing of how hard it would be to tell Cousin 
Rachel and Tubby exactly what her impres- 
sions were of this interesting place. It’s 
hard to put a body’s self into words.” 

The place unfolded so many wonders that 
Jean could only exclaim in little oh-ohs ” of 
delight. Surrounding the camp were pines. 


139 


A Mountain Trip 

evergreen oaks, alder and madrona trees, 
filled in with dense pungent smelling shrub- 
bery. In the hollow of an oak tree Jean 
found a great cluster of white orchids, and in 
a little while when they came to a sheltered 
water course she picked Mexican oxalis, irises, 
fuchsias and salvias in great clusters until her 
arms were full of flowers. She begged Pedro 
to climb a pine tree and get some crimson 
orchids she spied there. Willing though he 
was to risk his life on the trail of desperadoes, 
Pedro said he could not risk his life climbing 
a tree with such a gorge yawning just below, so 
Jean had to look about for other things of 
interest. 

** There is a badger’s hole, I do believe,” she 
cried as they were walking near some rocks. 

It was not a badger’s hole, but the impres- 
sion left by an armadillo when it was hunting 
for insects, Julio explained. 

“ An armadillo at an elevation of over eight 
thousand feet, in a wet place like this ? ” asked 
Mr. Kingsley incredulously. 


140 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Julio assured him that there could be no 
mistake, for in another place was the imprint 
of its feet. It could live in various tempera- 
tures, he said. 

Oh, let^s find it, so I can take it back to 
Tubby,^^ begged Jean. 

Julio said that it would be hard to find, 
because an armadillo spends so much time 
in its nido,^^ ^ which is tucked away 
out of sight always between rocks and 
big tree-roots. Besides, she ought not to 
take one armadillo without the rest of the 
family. Where there is one armadillo there 
are usually four or five more, he remonstrated 
gravely. 

When Jean said she would take as many 
armadillos as they could find, her father 
thought that it was time to interfere. 

I don^t believe Tubby really wants an 
armadillo. What would he do with one if 
he had it ? He was only joking, wasnT he ? ” 
he asked, laughing at Jean^s plan to under- 


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A Mountain Trip 141 

take getting a family of armadillos back to 
Orizaba. 

“ That’s why I want to take it to him — be- 
cause he asked for an armadillo and didn’t 
want it,” answered Jean, loath to give up. 

She kept on hunting for signs of a nest, 
though she hadn’t much idea what to look 
for, except that it would be hidden like a 
badger’s home. As she grew more and more 
absorbed in her search, she climbed over the 
rocks and ascended quite a little distance 
above the rest of the party. 

“ Come back, Jean,” called her father. 

You are getting too far away from us.” 

At that moment, the wet earth and rock 
gave way beneath Jean, and she fell. Power- 
less to regain her foothold, she rolled upon a 
ledge which was just above the gorge. She 
gave a quick scream and caught madly for 
support. There was nothing except moist 
earth upon the sloping rock — all the bushes 
were out of reach. Resistlessly she slipped 
farther toward the edge. She was too far 


142 


A Little Princess of the Patio 


away, it seemed, for any one to reach her in 
time to save her. Involuntarily she closed 
her eyes. In a flash she would fall to her 
death. 

A tall flgure dashed suddenly from the 
undergrowth at the side of her. A swift hand 
caught her and pulled her back. Jean opened 
her eyes and looked into the face of her patio 
visitor — the Man of Adventure ! 

Mr. Kingsley, with Pedro and Julio follow- 
ing, reached Jean^s side a few seconds later. 
Jean smiled up into her father’s horror-stricken 
face, as he gathered her tremblingly into his 
arms. He could hardly believe her when she 
said that she wasn’t hurt, only just jumbled 
up a little.” Not until she insisted upon 
standing could he realize that she was safe. 

In the meantime Pedro had been eyeing 
Jean’s rescuer suspiciously. He had seen too 
many mountain refugees not to know almost 
instantly why this man happened to be there. 
He was in hiding ; this Pedro knew. When 
Mr. Kingsley overwhelmed the man with his 


H3 


A Mountain Trip 

thanks, Pedro looked on conservatively. Mr. 
Kingsley introduced himself, and when the 
man failed to give name for name, Pedro 
showed his disapproval plainly. As Mr. 
Kingsley recovered his composure he himself 
began to look at the man somewhat curiously. 

Who was he — this man, with such a hag- 
gard face and sunken, anxious eyes? His 
garments, torn and old, were those of a moun- 
taineer, yet in his speech and manner he was 
a man of breeding. 

Jean did not betray in any way to the 
others that she had seen the man before. She 
forgot herself and the horror of her narrow 
escape as the conversation went on, and she 
watched Pedro^s face growing cloudier every 
moment. 

Presently it began to rain, and Mr. Kings, 
ley invited the man to return with them to 
the camp. Pedro protested. He called Mr. 
Kingsley aside and he told him what he 
believed about the man. 

‘^Refugee or not,^^ answered Mr. Kingsley 


144 A Little Princess of the Patio 

quickly, ** he saved Jean's life, and he shall 
have a place of shelter in our camp.” 

The man at first refused the invitation, 
saying that he would do very well under 
cover of the trees. 

Why, they’re no shelter at all,” protested 
Jean, “ and your clothes are damp already.” 

Damp his clothes were, from other rains, 
which had been so frequent that there had 
been no chance between whiles for the man 
to get his clothing quite dry. He was shiver- 
ing despite his insistence that he was quite 
comfortable. His words were interrupted by 
an attack of violent coughing. 

This settled matters. Mr. Kingsley took 
him by the arm and compelled him to go 
with them to the camp. 

There the man was dressed in warm, dry 
clothes and refreshed by something hot to eat. 
He looked inquiringly at Jean when she 
chanced to be beside him by the fire for a few 
seconds and the rest were busy with their own 
conversation. 


H5 


A Mountain Trip 

** Why don^t you tell ? he asked abruptly. 
Tell that you are the one I let pass on ? 
answered Jean. No, I^m not going to tell.’^ 
You must,'* the man answered firmly. 

But first let me speak. As soon as I can 
see your father alone, I’m going to tell him 
about myself.” 

So it came about that he and Mr. Kingsley 
had a long talk together, and Jean waited 
anxiously to learn her father’s attitude after- 
ward. 

“ The man has told me about himself, 
Jean,” her father told her, and I believe he 
has spoken nothing that isn’t true. It’s a 
long story, about a complication with the 
government which I don’t think 'you could 
understand. If the man had the right sort 
of help, perhaps he could be proved an inno- 
cent man, then he wouldn’t need to live in 
fear of the law and its penalty. Because he 
saved your life, Jean, I’m going to help him 
all I can.” 

Jean was beside herself with joy for a few 


146 A Little Princess of the Patio 

moments. Then she told her father about 
the patio incident. They were both im- 
pressed by the strangeness of her second 
meeting with the man. 

“ It seems strange, yet it isnT. It was per- 
fectly natural for him to try to hide here 
on the mountain — the only extraordinary 
thing is, that he happened to be in just the 
place to save you when you fell. But IVe 
long ago found out that the strangest things 
happen in real life and not in books. We 
owe this man a great debt, Jean — we mustn't 
forget that, whatever happens to him." 

What is his name. Father Dick ? Didn't 
he tell you ? " 

‘‘ Yes, he told me — but just at present no 
one else can know all of it. For a while, 
we'll call him just Don Eduardo." 

It was with much satisfaction that Jean 
saw Pedro's manner change instantly after 
her father talked with him. From that time 
on he was Don Eduardo's special protector. 

Mr. Kingsley at first insisted, on account of 


A Mountain Trip 147 

Jean's narrow escape, that they should return 
at once, but Jean begged so hard that finally 
he consented to go a little farther up the 
mountain, at least far enough to get above 
the wetness of their first camping place. 

Soon they were where the vegetation was 
wholly changed. There were no more oaks 
and finally no alders. The underbrush made 
Jean think of sage-brush with its grayish 
leaves. Mistletoe was everywhere in large, 
roundish clusters, which looked from a dis- 
tance like big nests. 

‘ They found a pleasant camping place where 
there was a stretch of earth covered with tus- 
sock-grass. All around Jean spied asfodels 
and lupins and these, together with the view 
of the peak itself, delighted her with the place. 
They would hear the showers going on below 
them. There were occasional flurries of snow 
where they were but no rain. Jean wished 
to stay on for several days, but Don Eduardo 
was so affected by the rare atmosphere that 
their stay had to be very short. 


148 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Anyhow/^ Mr. Kingsley announced as 
they were breaking camp, I think it^s high 
time we were getting back to Cousin Rachel, 
for I killed a rattlesnake by our tent this 
morning before you were up. A rattler was 
the last visitor I expected to see here, though 
Julio insisted we might expect them even up 
here.^^ 

With many a reluctant upward glance at 
the peak, Jean started upon the trail back 
down the mountain. 

** Never mind, Jean, Td like to go to the 
top too, but we might never get down again 
to tell about it. Some time when we haven’t 
anything worth while to accomplish in the 
world, we’ll come back and try it,” said her 
father humorously. 

Anyhow, we’ve been nearer than most 
people,” Jean responded with satisfaction, 

and twelve thousand feet is pretty high.” 

At Tuzantla, they left Don Eduardo in 
Julio’s hut for a few days w’hile Mr. Kingsley 
could make arrangements for his safety in 


149 


A Mountain Trip 

Orizaba. Julio did not have much to offer, 
but such as it was, he offered willingly. He 
was particularly gracious when he learned 
that Pedro would remain also to protect Don 
Eduardo, in case of possible discovery. 

Jean enjoyed the meal they all had therein 
Julio’s hut. There were no rugs on the hard 
clay floor, but it was swept scrupulously clean. 
By the fireplace on the ground she helped 
prepare the tortillas, roasting them according 
to Julio’s directions upon a crude flat dish. 
She examined the few dishes Julio had for 
cooking, together with his grinding-stones for 
maize and chili, and she was amazed at how 
little he needed. Specially prepared for the 
occasion was a stew made of wood-sorrel root 
and milk. 

Julio moved about the hut with a dignity 
and ease which were striking in such a host. 
When they left Jean was sorry to see the last 
of his sharp-featured face with its scanty 
beard. She knew that she would probably 
never see him again. 


150 A Little Princess of the Patio 


The short distance from Tuzantla Jean and 
her father rode alone. Jean's patio never 
looked so beautiful to her as it looked that 
evening of their arrival. 

The flowers have been doing their best to 
prepare a proper welcome home for you, Jean," 
said her Cousin Rachel as she greeted the 
travelers with joy and relief. 

I believe my patio is the nicest place in 
Mexico," Jean said decidedly, with a wander- 
er's appreciation of home. It seems as if 
we've been gone a month, and it's only flve 
days." 


CHAPTER VIII 


A NEGLECTED EIKEPLACE 

You are lucky, Felipe, to have a fireplace 
in your house,” commented Jean one after- 
noon when she and Felipe were testing some 
of Mammy Zoe’s frosted cakes. That’s just 
the place to hang up your stocking on Christ- 
mas Eve.” 

I nevah have hung up my stockin’ — is 
that where chil’en hang ’em?” asked Felipe, 
gravely munching his cake. 

Jean opened her eyes in amazement. 

** You don’t mean to tell me, Felipe, that 
you’ve never had a Christmas stocking ? ” 
Felipe shook his head. 

I cert’inly nevah have — is it nice ? ” 

Nice ? Why, it’s one of the very nicest 
things in the world. It’s nicer than valen- 
tines and firecrackers and thanksgiving tur- i 
151 


152 A Little Princess of the Patio 

keys all put together. It wouldn’t be Christ- 
mas without a stocking.” 

‘‘ Chris’mus is jes’ like all other days to 
me, ’cept Mammy Zoe makes extra cakes.” 

Oh, Felipe, have you never seen a Christ- 
mas tree? With a Santa Claus to take off 
the presents and give them to you ? A Christ- 
mas tree with blinking candles and tinsel 
that shines, and red balls all dancing ? ” 

Again Felipe shook his head, — this time 
with a look of yearning in his eyes which 
made Jean realize that she was needlessly 
making him unhappy, so she began quickly 
to talk about something else. The thought 
of Felipe’s words, however, stayed persistently 
in her mind. She had the feeling that he 
had been robbed of something which was the 
right of every child. 

What do you think. Cousin Rachel? Fe- 
lipe has never had a real Christmas ! ” Jean 
announced the moment she got home. “ He 
has never hung up his stocking — he didn’t 
even know that children always hang their 


A Neglected Fireplace 153 

stockings at the fireplace if there is one in the 
house. He has a fireplace, but he has never 
used it on Christmas Eve.’' 

** Well, well, I’m glad we’ve discovered 
this neglected fireplace in time,” exclaimed 
Cousin Rachel, much interested. “ Why 
can’t we show Felipe what a true Christmas 
is like?” 

Cousin Rachel’s suggestion set Jean’s feet 
to dancing. 

We will, we will I ” she cried, delightedly. 

Father Dick and Tubby and every one will 
help to make it beautiful. Oh, Cousin Rachel, 
will you make some little stockings for the 
candy to hang on the tree?” 

Cousin Rachel promised at once and Jean 
began at once to solicit other promises of help 
in the plan. By night she had everything 
arranged. Tubby would get the tree — one 
of the little pine trees which look like the 
Scotch fir. Jean had seen many of them up 
the mountain. Father’s part would be Santa 
Claus — no one else could do it so well. Bea- 


E54 A Little Princess of the Patio 

trice would help her make the Christmas can- 
dies and arrange the decorations. 

The days which followed were busy ones 
and Jean was kept in a perpetual quiver of 
suspense lest some one should carelessly give 
Felipe an inkling of the secret. Mammy 
Zoe was not taken into the planning until 
the last moment for fear she would tell acci- 
dentally. 

It was something of a problem to get Felipe 
to hang up his stocking. It took the com- 
bined efforts of Tubby and Beatrice and Jean 
to bring it about. They all went over to see 
Felipe on Christmas Eve and found him sit- 
ting by the fireplace poring over a tattered 
picture-book. 

“ I’ve foun’ a picture of a Chris’mus fire- 
place,” he exclaimed, the first thing. It 
cert’inly looks gran’.” 

Why don’t you make yours look like 
that, Felipe ? ” 

My fireplace like that? All dressed up 
in all kin’s of things ? It wouldn’t feel nat’- 


A Neglected Fireplace 155 

ral, an’ I guess I wouldn’t reco’nize it,” 
scoffed Felipe. 

Aren’t you going to hang up your stock- 
ing?” inquired Beatrice. 

“What’s the use o’ my doin’ that? 
Wouldn’t nothin’ happen.” 

“ Well, it would be fun, anyhow, just to 
pin it up,” Jean insisted; “you’ve no idea 
how exciting it is.” 

“Nothin’ like it,” added Tubby, persua- 
sively. 

But Felipe remained firm. 

“ I’m not goin’ to try it — it would jest give 
Them another chance to laugh at me.” 

Felipe seldom mentioned Them, but they all 
knew that he referred to a company of per- 
verse beings which had a very definite place in 
his imagination — beings who were in league 
against him, and kept from him what other 
children had. Felipe’s attitude toward Them 
was always that of plucky indifference. He 
had developed a dauntless heroism which 
made him seem strangely old at times. His 


156 A Little Princess of the Patio 


courageous little I don^ care was his one 
comment to Them. He was determined to 
show Them that they could never get the bet- 
ter of him. He had grown skilled in ward- 
ing off their attacks. There were enough un- 
expected encounters without courting any 
additional ones. 

“ They may not be around on Christmas 
Eve/’ Jean reassured him. 

I don’ want to risk it/’ Felipe persisted, 
with a pathetic effort to appear uncon- 
cerned. 

I’d give anything if we had a fireplace,” 
remarked Beatrice. I haven’t anywhere to 
hang my stocking except to the foot of my 
bed.” 

Nor I,” echoed Jean. 

What do you say? Let’s all hang our 
stockings up over here,” suggested Tubby. 
** Will you lend us your fireplace, Felipe?” 

I sho’ly will,” answered Felipe with his 
fine courtesy ; “ you all can use it an’ wel- 


come. 


A Neglected Fireplace 157 

They were all off pell-mell to get their 
stockings. When they came back to hang 
them, they brought some greens with them, 
and when Felipe saw the fireplace, trans- 
formed by the garlands and red ribbons, he 
could not repress his interest any longer. He 
jumped about and made all sorts of droll sug- 
gestions to them while they were writing 
their letters to Santa Claus. 

<< Why don’ you ask him, please, sir, to 
bring you some snow ? ” 

I’ll do it,” Jean said, gaily adding snow 
in capitals to her list. 

Straight up the chimney the lists went one 
by one. The three stockings dangled from 
the mantel in such a comrade-like way that 
Felipe could resist no longer. 

“ Do you reck’n there’s room fo’ one mo’ 
stockin’ ? ” 

Right here,” cried Beatrice, pointing to 
the place which had been purposely left for 
him at the end. 

Jean could hardly keep from hugging 


138 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Felipe in delight over their victory, but 
Tubby prevented her in time. 

“ You know he doesn’t like that — you 
might spoil things altogether,” cautioned 
Tubby in a low tone, pulling her back. 

'' Do get your stocking, Felipe,” Jean 
begged, restraining herself reluctantly. 

As he hurried out of the room. Tubby 
whirled Jean round and round in the old 
way and this, together with a jig with Bea- 
trice, relieved the excitement of every one. 

Now, if Santa Claus fo’gets yo’ all on 
’count o’ yo’ hanging yo’ stockin’s at my fire- 
place, please don’ blame me,” begged Felipe, 
as he hung his beside the others. 

Don’t worry about that,” Tubby said 
laughing. ** We’ll get what’s intended for us, 
no matter where we hang our stockings — 
didn’t you know that ? ” 

I nevah did know anything fo’ sure befo’ 
about Chris’mus, an’ I didn’t s’pose it could 
be half so much fun jes’ puttin’ up a body’s 
stocking.” 


A Neglected Fireplace 159 

His eyes sparkled and his little body was 
alert with interest ; the Christmas spirit had 
touched him with the magical wand which 
makes hearts all over the world beat faster 
and lighter. Indefinable expectation pos- 
sessed him ; gone completely was his indifier- 
ence and fear of Them. A new strange con- 
fidence tingled in him— a belief in the Some- 
thing Beautiful specially prepared for him. 

1 re’lly b’lieve Santa Claus is goin' to 
come/' he cried. “I do for a fac'." 

“ It's a good thing you do expect him," 
asserted Tubby solemnly, for if you didn't, 
he'd be sure not to come." 

When they left they made Felipe promise 
not to go into the room where the stockings 
were until Mammy Zoe told him that they 
had arrived. 

You may be sure we'll be over early 
enough," Jean said as they all bade Felipe 
good-night and wished him “ Christmas 
dreams." 

Mammy Zoe later received a visit from Mr. 


i6o A Little Princess of the Patio 


Kingsley, who came laden with parcels for the 
stockings. When the three Christmas fairies 
crept into the house before dawn the next 
morning they found it very hard to resist 
peeping at the gifts before they went on with 
their work. 

“ We mustn't,'' asserted Tubby, setting up 
the tree. We've got this tree to get ready 
first and, besides, it wouldn't be fair." 

“ It would spoil half the fun," agreed Jean. 

Beatrice gave a hearty second and they all 
set to work with a will whispering mysteri- 
ously and suppressing laughter that would 
come at nothing. In a short time the little 
tree was gay in the holiday dress and a-twinkle 
with tapers. They tied their own gifts for one 
another upon the branches, then stood off to 
survey the effect. 

“ It's beautiful — the most beautiful tree that 
ever was, isn’t it, Tubby ? " whispered Jean 
in ecstas3^ 

“ It’s certainly a winner," declared Tubby, 
rubbing his hands with a satisfied air. 


A Neglected Fireplace i6i 

As Mr. Kingsley slipped into the room every 
one barely suppressed a shout of approval, so 
perfect was his impersonation of Santa Claus. 
Mammy Zoe scuttled away to tell Felipe that 
his visitors were waiting and as he bobbed ex- 
citedly into the room, they circled about the 
tree and sang the Christmas carol they had 
practiced so hard together. Tubby rumbled 
a bit off the key in places, but Mr. Kingsley 
set him right, and the song ended with fine 
effect. Little Felipe was unable to utter a 
word. He held out his arms to Jean — all of 
his own accord,’’ she said afterward, trium- 
phantly — and she ran to him to hold him 
close for a moment until his words came back 
and his gay little laugh. Never had they 
heard such a ring of joy in his voice as when 
he took his stocking down and exclaimed his 
surprise over its contents. 

“ An’ you did come — you didn’ fo’get me 
after all,” he cried, turning to Mr. Kingsley, 
whom he accepted as the good saint of the 
hour. 


i62 a Little Princess of the Patio 


Before the light wood-fire they all opened 
their gifts in high excitement, completely 
absorbed until Mr. Kingsley reminded them 
that the tree had something for them too. 
He distributed the gifts, reciting all the while 
Christmas jingles and jokes which kept them 
all laughing. The tree fascinated Felipe, and 
he insisted upon knowing all about it. 

Tell me all about it — my first Chris’mus 
tree — where did it come from ? he begged. 

You tell, Jean,’^ said Tubby. “ You are the 
one who knows how to tell about things.^' 
Jean's eyes were wide with dreams as she 
looked at the tree agleam with its colored 
tapers. 

“ It never expected to be a Christmas tree — 
this Little Pine," she said. “ When it was 
very, very young and first began to under- 
stand things, it used to hear the trees around 
it talking, always talking about what they 
would be when they left the forest. Very 
soon the Little Pine pieced together the ideas 
the larger trees had about life. 


A Neglected Fireplace 163 

“ ‘ The most glorious death to die is the 
death of a hero/ was an adage which had been 
handed down from generation to generation 
of trees. All the trees repeated it and our 
Little Pine said it over and over every day, 
though for a long time he didn’t in the least 
know what the words meant. ‘ What is death? 
And what is a hero ? ’ he asked of an old pine 
which towered above him ever so high and 
appeared to know all things. 

The old pine tried to explain what it 
was for a tree to die, but the Little Pine only 
understood that it meant being taken from the 
forest. It couldn’t be the end of life, not al- 
ways, he thought, because the old pine said 
sometimes it meant finding the place a tree 
was born for. Only those who didn’t die the 
death of heroes saw the last of things. The 
old pine had only one idea of what a true hero 
could be. A true hero, in his opinion, always 
became the mast of a ship. He told wonder- 
ful stories which had been handed down to 
him, about what it was like sailing across the 


164 A Little Princess of the Patio 

ocean, a part of a mighty ship. He had seen 
the ocean himself, he declared, in his dreams 
— dreams the Wind brought to him. If he 
didn^t become the mast of a ship when he left 
the forest, he would feel disgraced. The Little 
Pine found out that some of the other trees 
had different ideas about what it was to die 
the death of a hero. 

^ I think the most glorious thing of all is 
to become the pillar of a great mansion,^ a 
strong oak told him. 

** * And I would be nothing if not a couch 
for a queen, ^ said a satin-wood tree. 

The mahogany trees wanted to become 
kings’ thrones and altars, the rosewoods 
longed to be pianos. 

The Little Pine was very much confused 
for a long time and he couldn’t make up his 
mind what was really the most glorious death. 
He respected the old pine tree very much, and 
what he said influenced him more than the 
talk of the other trees. He was so grave and 
quiet, with such a dignified air, that whenever 


A Neglected Fireplace 165 

he did speak, the Little Pine paid very close 
attention. It was from him that he learned 
the language of the Wind and Rain, and the 
secrets of the ground. 

‘‘ He grew to realize what a wonderful world 
he was living in, and he tried very hard to 
become as wise as the old pine. One day his 
teacher was taken away by men who hacked 
him down cruelly, and dragged him along 
without paying any attention to his fine 
pointed top. 

‘ Good-bye,’ he called out to the Little 
Pine, * I’m off now, — to be the mast of a brave 
ship, I hope, but one can never tell.’ 

^ Aren’t you afraid?’ screamed the Little 
Pine, very much frightened at the sight of the 
weapons the men carried. 

“ ‘ Afraid ? ’ called back the old pine in great 
scorn. * A hero is never afraid. Remember 
that.’ 

“ The Little Pine remembered those last 
words of his friend, and tried his best not to 
be afraid when he looked at the big empty 


i66 A Little Princess of tlie Patio 


place left by his side. He felt all shivery and 
very small. The other trees didn’t take as 
much notice of him as the old pine had done, 
and he was often very homesick for his teacher. 
He found out that he had to get along by him- 
self, so every day he grew stronger and more 
independent. He wished he could hurry and 
grow tall — he seemed so little beside the other 
trees. 

“ * Well, have you decided what you want 
to be when you are grown up ? ’ a satin-wood 
tree asked him one day. 

* Yes,’ he answered ; * I want to be a flag- 
pole.’ 

“ ‘ That will be flne, especially on holidays,’ 
the satin-wood tree said. ' I hope your wish 
will come true.’ 

The Little Pine thought about being a 
flag-pole so much that he forgot it was possi- 
ble for anything else to happen. So one day 
when he saw the men with the weapons coming 
again, he didn’t dream for a minute that they 
were coming for him. When he felt a sharp 


A Neglected Fireplace 167 

weapon strike him he cried out fiercely that 
they were making a mistake. 

'''I'm going to be a flag-pole/ he cried. 
' I'm not grown up yet — I'm not the one you 
want.' 

" They paid no attention to him. He was 
carried off on the shoulders of a Boy who 
laughed a great deal and talked about Christ- 
mas. The Little Pine felt ashamed and very 
sad. No tree on earth could be so unhappy 
as he was, he thought, as they bore him down 
the mountain. Why, he wasn't even going 
to have the chance to grow up — how could 
he be a hero unless he was a big tree ? This 
was what the old pine must have meant by 
' the last of things.' This was ' the last of 
things ' for him, sure enough. He was as 
miserable as could be when he found him- 
self finally in a place with walls all around 
him. 

" ' They are going to suffocate me,' he 
sighed, ' shut away from the air and sky.' 

" How ashamed he was when two girls 


1 68 A Little Princess of the Patio 

came to help the Boy put tinsel and all 
kinds of things upon him! 

‘ They are making fun of me/ he groaned. 
* Putting all these gaudy things on me. I 
am like a Clown — that strange creature the 
Wind used to tell about. It is an insult to 
deck me out like this.^ 

When they lighted the tapers he felt faint 
— surely this was ' the end of all things.’ 
Then all of a sudden he came to himself and 
saw a Vision in the long mirror in front of him. 

“ * Do I look like that ? Am I really so 
beautiful as that ? No hero could be grander 
than I am/ he whispered to himself. 

He heard voices about him, calling him 
the Christmas Tree. They sang about him 
and praised his green branches and candles. 
A great joy made him tremble all over. 
After all, he was dying the death of a hero 
— the beautiful kind of death he hadn’t heard 
anything of because he was born in Mexico 
where trees don’t talk about being Christmas 
heroes.” 


A Neglected Fireplace 169 

There was a great clapping when Jean 
finished her story. 

“ That’s the best Chris’mus present of all,” 
cried Felipe delightedly. 

Then they all gathered around the tree 
again and sang some more carols, this time 
with the feeling that the Little Pine was 
listening to them. 

You forgot the snow,” Felipe exclaimed 
to Santa Claus, after a second survey of the 
presents. 

'' No, I didn’t,” replied Mr. Kingsley, bring- 
ing forth some glistening white balls. 

“ Snowballs ! Confetti balls ! ” cried the 
chorus, catching the balls delightedly. 

In a moment the lights looked blurred by 
the shower of confetti which filled the air. 
The floor was soon covered with what looked 
like a flurry of snow. 

“ Now, s’long as we don’t pull the curtains 
back and look outside, we can just imagine 
we’re up North,” said Tubby. 

I’m glad we’re not,” Jean replied quickly. 


170 A Little Princess of the Patio 

It^s fun to have flowers and hot sun outside 
on Christmas day ; just once, anyway, to see 
what it’s like.” 

An’ it’s fun fo’ me to see what Chris’mus 
is like,” chimed in Felipe, hugging his stock- 
ing close. 


CHAPTER IX 

JEAN^S NEW year's RECEPTION 

In a few weeks, Jean had quite an extended 
acquaintance, and it was through Felipe prin- 
cipally that Jean's list of friends grew. 
Naturally, on account of Felipe's belief that 
one is likely to find an interesting person al- 
most anywhere, he had friends in all classes 
and he made no distinctions. 

He took Jean to the hospital to see a little 
lame boy named Carlos, and Felipe mentioned 
only incidentally that Carlos's mother. Dona 
Maria, was a cook. When they met Dona 
Maria coming and going to the hospital, Felipe 
chattered with her quite as amiably as with 
her mistress, the wealthy Mrs. Deane or with 
Lucio's distinguished mother, Senora Gonzales, 
the wife of the jefe politico. He knew several 
people who belonged to what was termed the 
“American Colony," as well as a plentiful 
171 


ij2 A Little Princess of the Patio 

mixture of the English and German inhab- 
itants of Orizaba. 

Felipe and Jean were comparing their 
acquaintance lists with Tubby^s one day after 
Christmas as they sat in the patio eating 
some of the United States chocolates which 
Jean had received in one of her holiday boxes. 

Why, we know enough people to have a 
party, Jean said, as she counted the number 
of people they knew. 

Why don^t you have a New Yearns recep- 
tion?” suggested Tubby. '‘Then you could 
wear that new dress you got the other day 
from the United States. I donT see’s you’ll 
have much chance to wear it anywhere else.” 

" Can I have a reception in my patio? If 
I can, I’m going to do it.” 

" If yo’ don’ want to use yo’ sala lak othah 
people, yo’ don’ have to, but how yo’ goin’ 
to get all those sev’r’l dozen people in this li’l’ 
patio ? ” asked Felipe. 

" I suppose it would be crowded, but there 
would be room for part of them.” 


Jean’s New Year’s Reception 173 

“ Maybe they’d not all come,” ventured 
Tubby hopefully. 

“ Oh, but I want them all to come, or I 
wouldn’t invite them. It isn’t kind to invite 
people unless you really want them. I’m 
going to ask Cousin Rachel and then write 
my invitations right now.” 

Cousin Rachel approved, and Tubby and 
Felipe had many suggestions to offer and they 
helped her decide several important points. 

I don’t want to call it a reception,” she 
deliberated, poising her pen uncertainly over 
the first sheet of paper. “ It’s such a grown- 
up word.” 

Call it jes’ a gatherin’-in,” Felipe 
promptly decided for her. That’s what 
it is, from the fo’ cohners of Orizaba.” 

So a gathering-in ” Jean called it. 

She was a long time getting her invitations 
done, for some had to be written in Spanish 
with the help of Felipe, who was most un- 
certain about spelling. Then there was a 
great flurry delivering them before nightfall. 


174 


A Little Princess of the Patio 


ril have to think of some way to enter- 
tain my guests/^ Jean remarked to her father. 
She was somewhat overwhelmed when she 
realized her responsibility. 

Yes, and since you said you wanted it to 
be all your very own gathering-in, you must 
decide everything yourself,’' he replied, smil- 
ing at her anxiety. Have just the kind of 
reception you’d like to go to yourself.” 

Jean took her father’s suggestion for guid- 
ance in making her plans. The result was 
that she dispensed with all idea of having a 
formal party, and arranged for some rather 
unusual ways of amusing her strange collec- 
tion of guests. 

Almost every one accepted, from Senora 
Gonzales and Lucio to Fred Smith, the 
American photographer who was in Mexico 
getting pictures for a moving picture company. 
Little lame Carlos could not come, of course, 
and he sent quaint regrets by Dr. Trumbull, 
the surgeon who had taken such an interest 
in his case and would receive no payment. 


Jean’s New Year’s Reception 175 

Jean’s joy was complete when Beatrice 
arrived with her mother. 

“ Now we can have our tiger dance. I was 
so afraid you couldn’t come, then we couldn’t 
have had it,” Jean said joyfully. , 

I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. 
Just think, I don’t have to run away to see 
you any more, Jean,” Beatrice whispered 
aside. Your Cousin Rachel has been so 
good to mamma that she’s decided she 
wanted to come to your gathering-in and be 
friends with you all. Besides, she said it 
would be a good chance to get acquainted.” 

Americans who would never have seen one 
another at a social function in the United 
States met quite at ease in Jean’s patio and 
exchanged free comments upon Mexico. 

Mr. Watson, an Englishman, who had 
learned after many years how to take care of 
a coffee plantation, rubbed his hands genially 
in arguments with Sehor Martinas over the 
prospective crop. Sehor Martinas brought 
the good news to Pegasus’s friends that the 


176 A Little Princess of the Patio 

horse had gained at least ten pounds. Every 
one so easily entertained himself that Jean 
was almost afraid to interrupt the gay conver- 
sation by the “ danza de la pluma ” or plume 
dance which she had planned. 

With American enterprise, Fred Smith had 
managed to get several Zapoteca Indians to 
come to Orizaba and pose for moving pictures, 
while he was there for other scenes, thus sav- 
ing him a trip to Tlacolula or some other 
place more or less isolated. He had the 
American way of killing two birds with one 
stone.’^ Jean had arranged easily to get the 
plume dancers to perform for her guests. 
Most of them had never seen the plume dance, 
and there was a general hand-clapping when 
the tall, strong-featured Zapoteca, in their 
attractive array, entered the patio. 

The men^s dark eyes sparkled at the admi- 
ration they received and they twirled their 
long imperial moustaches complacently as 
they waited for the music. 

“ Their dress is meant to be like what their 


Jean’s New Year’s Reception 177 

priests wore in ancient times/’ Jean informed 
her guests, but it doesn’t look much like 
any priest’s clothes I’ve ever seen.” 

They wore helmets with huge, brightly-dyed 
feathers towering out of them, arranged in a 
half circle, — like a well-opened fan of gigantic 
proportions. Their costume was a combina- 
tion of silk and leather, heavily ornamented 
with gold fringe and braiding. Their little 
tasseled aprons were almost completely cov- 
ered with gold embroidery. The trimming 
on their trousers was arranged in little skirt- 
like frills at regular intervals and when they 
whirled, in dancing, these fringes stood almost 
straight out. 

The dance began by a sudden shaking of 
the leader’s rattle. The others answered 
with their own rattles, and their yellow shod 
feet flashed back and forth to the high strains 
of the musica.” 

The dance was intended to interpret the 
conquest of Mexico, executed according to an 
old Zapotec custom, and the guests were kept 


178 A Little Princess of the Patio 

alert in their effort to understand the signifi- 
cance of the various poses and changes. The 
Zapoteca said they would perform gladly the 
whole of the dance, but since it would take 
over three hours, Jean had them do only the 
last part, which was the most impressive and 
inspiriting, since it signified victory. After 
that Felipe and Escipidn played some of 
their liveliest music upon the harp and ja- 
rana. 

‘‘ Don’t play anything slow and sad, for it 
will make the people who don’t belong here 
get homesick,” Jean requested. “ Holidays 
are the hardest days in a strange land, Mr. 
Watson says.” 

“ You are having a beautiful party,” whis- 
pered Mrs. Deane to Jeane, as Felipe’s jarana 
throbbed out its most thrilling tones. 

Jean felt a sudden feeling of comradeship 
for Mrs. Deane. She was helping to make 
her party very interesting. They had decided 
to invite Mrs. Deane because she had allowed 
them to play so much with her dog Zip, a 


Jean’s New Year’s Reception 179 

dachshund of unusual intelligence. Jean 
thought now that Zip could not have proven 
a more entertaining guest than his mistress, 
which was saying a great deal. Jean talked 
to her as long as she could, without neglect- 
ing her other guests, and she left her reluc- 
tantly in Cousin Racheks care when she had 
to help in the tiger dance,” which Pedro 
had taught Tubby, Beatrice and her to do. 

Pedro had seen this dance in Ayutla and 
he had labored a long time to teach it to 
them. They were somewhat hampered by 
the lack of enough people to do the dance, 
but with assistance from Pedro they managed 
to work it out very well with Jean as the 
jaguar. Tubby as the stag, and Beatrice as the 
goat-boy.” They wore black wooden masks. 
Tubby^s was topped with antlers and carved 
to represent the stag. He wore a chain of 
stag’s teeth across his chin. Beatrice was 
quite transformed by a long goat’s beard and 
mask, while Jean appeared with a white mask 
and a jacket-like garment of yellow fibre. 


i8o A Little Princess of the Patio 


To the strains of a violin Tubby and Bea- 
trice started out in a skipping step which 
represented the search. Tubby struck a 
stalking attitude — then crouched and hopped 
his way apparently through underbrush and 
when he suddenly spied the jaguar (all the 
while perfectly visible) he went through the 
dance of the finder/’ which was strenuous 
work for Tubby, because it was so abandoned 
in its exultant movement. The jaguar, deeply 
grieved at the discovery, gave out a low sullen 
growl. Pedro and several helpers also growled 
to add to the excitement of the impending 
stalk. The goat-boy then did the part of the 
dog in the hunt and finally the jaguar, sup- 
posedly shot, did the death-dance. After 
that there came a general polka of victory, 
ending with an attempt to appease the ghost 
of the slain jaguar. 

It was as heathenish an effort as possible, 
and only the whole-hearted acting of the 
dancers saved it from being entirely ludicrous. 
Pedro was very proud of his pupils, and he 


Jean’s New Year’s Reception i8i 

was much gratified at the applause they re- 
ceived. 

The dancers took some time to get off their 
masks and recover from their exertion. 

When Jean came into the patio again, 
Felipe came bobbing up excitedly. A tall, 
distinguished looking man followed him 
closely. 

Heah's another guest fo^ you,” cried Felipe. 

“ An uninvited guest,” said the man smil- 
ing and holding out his hand. 

'' Don Eduardo I ” gasped Jean. 

She hardly knew him. His new well-fit- 
ting clothes made a great difference in his ap- 
pearance, but greatest of all was the change in 
his face. It was illuminated with a new ex- 
pression of joy and relief. The hunted look 
had vanished from his eyes. 

You didn’t quite know me, did you ? ” said 
Don Eduardo, laughing at her amazement. 

I never dreamed that you were anywhere 
near Orizaba. The last time Father Dick 
told me about you, he said that you were in 


i82 a Little Princess of the Patio 

Mexico City, busy with all the law things 
you had to go through/^ 

IVe finished all that, and now I^m a free 
man, thanks to your father/^ 

Now I want to introduce him to yo^” 
cried Felipe, his voice trembling. You 
don' know who he is — he's my father I " 

“ Oh, Felipe, Felipe," cried Jean in a joy 
that was very close to tears, to think that 
your father, your very own father has come 
to my gathering-in ! " 

I didn't s'pose," said Felipe solemnly, 
that I'd evah in my life be so happy as I am 
this very minute. I nevah thought I'd be 
lucky enough to have a father, lak you, Jean, 
— lak everybody, seemed lak, 'ceptin' me." 
Then, turning to his father he said wistfully 
as he clung closely to him, You goin' to 
stay with me lak Jean's father stays 'round 
with her? Are yo' mine fo' keeps? " 

Senor Vasquez smiled and tucked Felipe's 
hand into his pocket. 

Yours for keeps," he answered happily. 


CHAPTER X 


AN IMPOKTANT DINNER 

Jean discussed the details of the gather- 
ing-in for days afterward with her father. 
One part of it which she could not tire of 
talking about was the arrival of the unex- 
pected guest, who had made them all so 
happy. 

She could hardly forgive her father when 
she found out that he had known all along 
that Don Eduardo was Felipe’s father. 

“ That was why you wouldn’t tell me his 
last name ? ” 

“Yes,” answered her father. “It was his 
wish. We couldn’t tell how things would 
turn out and it was better that you shouldn’t 
know until we were sure. He had come back 
for a glimpse of Felipe when you found him 
that day in the patio.” 

“ What if I hadn’t let him pass on ? ” cried 
183 


184 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Jean, breathlessly, as she realized suddenly 
that if she had let the rurales find him, Felipe 
would have been robbed of his father. 

Senor Vasquez’s story was a very dramatic 
one. He had told Jean all about his life. 
The part that interested her most was that 
about Felipe^s mother, a beautiful Southern 
woman from Alabama. She had married 
Sefior Vasquez against her parents’ wishes. 
He was a Castilian. They had made their 
home in Mexico, where she had died very 
soon after Felipe was born. Then came Senor 
Vasquez’s terrible trouble, and he had to 
leave Felipe to be brought up by Mammy 
Zoe. He also explained to her why he had 
been an outlaw for so long. In trying to 
protect some one else, he himself had been 
suspected of plotting against the government. 
The evidence surrounding him in several 
dreadful riots was such that there would have 
been no chance for his life if the authorities 
had captured him. Very careful measures 
had to be taken to free him of the charges, 


An Important Dinner 185 

but Ml’. Kingsley had finally accomplished 
this for him. 

Now he is a member of society again/' 
said Jean's father, and he is certain to gain 
a place of respect and favor." 

Society is so queer," mused Jean. I've 
thought a lot about it since I've been in 
Mexico. Tubby says it's no use trying to 
understand all about it until I'm grown up, 
and that I’ll not be able to understand even 
then, for no one does ; but I can't help think- 
ing just the same.” 

When Jean first came to Mexico, she 
imagined that all those who were not Mexicans, 
particularly people from the United States, 
were bound together by a common bond of 
sympathy and interest. She thought all 
Americans would naturally swarm together 
like so many bees. Of course, they must get 
from another what was most satisfactory in 
their social life. 

She soon found out, however, that Ameri- 
can society in Mexico was a complex thing. 


i86 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Americans, she learned, did not meet together 
as one loving unit. The so-called colony 
was divided into a bewildering number of 
little sets, often sadly at variance with one 
another. She found that because people 
came from such very different parts of the 
United States, they had interests as different 
as if they had come from the four ends of the 
earth. Their social ambitions were not the 
same at all. 

Mrs. Deane, though comparatively a new- 
comer, was an authority upon the social life 
in Orizaba, and Jean gleaned considerable in- 
formation from her when she and Felipe 
visited Zip, or walked home with Dona 
Maria from the hospital after a call upon 
Carlos. At these times Mrs. Deane often 
chatted quite freely. She was almost like a 
little girl, Jean thought often when they 
talked about things together. There was 
only one really exclusive set, according to 
Mrs. Deane, and that was the cosmopolitan 
circle ” of which Mrs. Trumbull was the 


An Important Dinner 187 

leader. Several nationalities were represented 
in this charmed set, and only the most dis- 
tinguished Americans were included. Jean 
soon learned that it was Mrs. Deane’s innocent 
ambition to be a member of this circle. 

“ You know I’m so new here that there has 
hardly been time yet,” she said hopefully. 
“ Of course Mr. Deane has plenty of money ; 
but that doesn’t make any difference with 
this circle.” 

“ No, Felipe says that Mrs. Trumbull 
doesn’t care whether the people she invites to 
her house have money or not,” Jean answered, 
and Felipe knows her well, because her 
husband is Carlos’s doctor.” 

Jean could not see why Mrs. Deane, with 
her pretty face and her straightforward, almost 
childlike manner, should not go anywhere 
she chose. Jean liked her so much that she 
wanted every one else to care for her too. She 
grew more and more interested in Mrs. Deane’s 
social progress. Jean thought her quite charm- 
ing enough to become a social leader herself. 


i88 A Little Princess of the Patio 


She plied Tubby with questions about 
society. 

Is it a great thing to be a social leader, 
Tubby? she asked. 

“ Well, it's just accordin’ to what you mean 
by a social leader,” replied Tubby sagely, 
with the air of a man of the world who had 
observed much and learned accordingly. A 
social leader like Mrs. Trumbull is the kind 
to be. That kind never set out to be social 
leaders. They just are, you see, because they 
have the qualities. It’s like bein’ a mining 
man or anything else — ’less you’ve got the 
qualities you can’t be — at least not without 
making a fizzle.” 

Jean remained silent. She wondered 
whether he was referring indirectly to her 
own fizzle as a princess,” but she did not 
deign to ask. 

People like Mrs. Trumbull don’t make 
circles,” continued Tubby ; the circle’s made 
by people outside ; the people that are natur- 
ally kin come together and the rest of the 


An Important Dinner 189 

people who don’t belong have to stand 
around outside.’’ 

“ Do you think Mrs. Deane will ever get 
into Mrs. Trumbull’s set ? ” Jean asked inter- 
estedly. '' She’s so lonely. I wish people 
would hurry up and find out how sweet she 
is.” 

I reckon if she belongs there she’ll find 
herself in without havin’ to get in,” ventured 
Tubby. 

One day when Jean was chatting with 
Dona Maria about Carlos through the cocina 
window, she heard some one within the house 
call out. 

Whose voice is that? It belongs to some 
one I know.” 

Then from out the house came some one 
Jean had not seen since she was in Tonopah. 

** The Literary Lady ! ” she exclaimed, rush- 
ing into Margaret Clinton’s arms. Doesn’t it 
seem a long time since we were together? ” 

Ages,” answered Margaret Clinton. ‘‘It 
must have been, because you have grown up 


190 A Little Princess of the Patio 

to my ear. Jean, it’s a good thing to be a 
wanderer sometimes — I meet my friends over 
and over.” 

Jean looked at her old friend delightedly. 
She was the same alert, happy looking person 
of Tonopah days — and yes, she had that same 
little quirk of her eyebrow when she smiled, 
which had always fascinated Jean so much. 

“ Why, you haven’t changed one bit,” Jean 
said after a moment’s survey. 

^^You are the one who has changed, — in 
looks at least. I wonder if you’ve outgrown 
nursery rhyme contests? If you have. I’ll 
never forgive you.” 

** No, no, — I haven’t. Will you have 
another with me? And will you read me 
out of your new book ? I’ve read it every 
word — but it will be different to hear you read 
it. I’ve never forgotten how you read to me 
after I got hurt in the cave in Tonopah.” 

Then what an exciting do-you-remem- 
ber” conversation they began! The cave 
adventure, their California trip, everything 


An Important Dinner 191 

they had done together in Tonopah had to 
be talked about all at once. 

Mrs. Deane came hurrying out in a flutter- 
ing pink dress and interrupted them. 

“ Isn’t it lucky for me that my famous 
college friend is in need of Mexican material, 
as she calls it, for a new book ? ” she asked, 
linking her arm in Miss Clinton’s affectionately. 

Miss Clinton’s visit proved fortunate to 
Mrs. Deane in more ways than one, as Jean 
soon learned. Mrs. Trumbull was much in- 
terested in Miss Clinton’s writings, and when 
she found that she was the guest of Mrs. 
Deane, she was not slow in calling and show- 
ing her interest by several invitations later. 

One day Jean was invited, together with 
her Cousin Rachel and her father, to dinner 
at Mrs. Deane’s in honor of Miss Clinton. 
Mrs. Deane told Jean that Dr. and Mrs. 
Trumbull were to be there too. Jean gave 
her hand with a quick little pressure. She 
was as pleased as Mrs. Deane that she was to 
have the distinguished “ social leader ” to dine. 


192 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Jean offered some of her gorgeous yellow 
roses for Mrs. Deane’s table decoration and 
she felt much honored when she was asked 
to come early and help arrange them. Mrs. 
Deane drew a long breath of satisfaction when 
their work was completed. The table was a 
decorative triumph. 

“ It’s going to be perfect,” she exclaimed as 
eagerly as a child. 

“ I do hope it will settle things,” Jean 
thought to herself, as she realized what an 
important dinner it was. I hope that Mrs. 
Trumbull will decide that she wants to have 
Mrs. Deane in her circle for good.” 

Mrs. Deane hurried into the cocina to see 
whether Maria had everything in readiness. 
She called Jean to have a look at Maria’s 
triumphs in cooking, which were in the last 
critical stage of getting done. 

Jean stayed to chat with Maria, while Mrs. 
Deane went to put a few finishing touches to 
the decorations in the sal a. Maria was almost 
as much interested as Jean in the dinner. 


An Important Dinner 193 

She had expended her greatest skill upon her 
cookery. 

While they were talking a mozo came from 
the hospital with a message for Maria. 

Little Carlos was worse, — Dona Maria 
should come at once. 

Dona Maria’s face grew ashen, and she 
distractedly started to leave the cocina. 
Then she turned with a distressed glance at 
the things which so needed her attention at 
the last moment. 

The dinner will be spoiled,” she cried in 
Spanish. 

Jean was also torn by two feelings. She 
wanted Doha Maria to go to Carlos, yet how 
could she bear to see Mrs. Deane’s dinner 
spoiled? There was no other servant in the 
house who could do Maria’s work. 

Maria sat down and swayed back and forth 
with tensely folded arms and set lips. 

Jean started to call her hostess. She knew 
if Mrs. Deane learned that Maria had been 
called to the hospital, that she would send her 


194 A Little Princess of the Patio 

at once, regardless of what happened to the 
dinner. Just then Jean heard Dr. Trumbuirs 
voice as he greeted Mrs. Deane. She turned 
to Maria and gave her an encouraging pat. 

If Dr. Trumbull was there, then Maria need 
not worry. If Carlos were very ill, Dr. Trum- 
bull would not be at the dinner. He was the 
surgeon who had done so much for Carlos — 
he was so much interested in his case. He 
had performed an unusual operation upon 
Carlos to straighten his poor little crooked feet 
and legs. He had told Maria that he meant 
to keep an eye upon Carlos, and as his phy- 
sician, he would be called without fail if there 
should be a sudden change for the worse. 
Maria knew that there had been something 
more than professional interest in Dr. Trum- 
bull’s quick, deep eyes, when he talked to her 
of Carlos. 

Her anxiety began to lift as she listened to 
Dr. Trumbull’s voice, so full of soft, deep in- 
flections. His presence reassured her. 

She would not go, she said to Jean. She 


An Important Dinner igj 

would wait a little while, for Mrs. Deane’s 
sake. After all, there might be no reason to 
worry so much. 

Mrs. Deane called Jean, and she left Maria 
courageously setting about her work again. 
Not a word to Mrs. Deane, Maria charged Jean, 
as she went out. It would only worry her. 

Jean went into the sala to meet the other 
guests, and soon the important dinner began. 
There was animation from the very beginning. 
Margaret Clinton kept the guests laughing 
at her quaint remarks, and Jean thought that 
she had never seen a prettier, more graceful 
hostess than Mrs. Deane. Mrs. Trumbull was 
evidently much pleased and entertained. 

I’d never think, to look at her,” Jean said 
to herself, that she is so important. She 
looks just like some dear little mother-body. 
But when she talks, you can tell that she isn’t 
like every one else.” 

The dinner was going to be a success, Jean 
decided, with a thrill of pleasure. She was 
very happy for Mrs. Deane. 


196 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Before the dinner had progressed very far 
Dr. Trumbull was called to the hospital. J ean 
sat in mute anxiety — instinctively she knew 
he had gone to Carlos. Did Maria know that 
he had gone, too ? 

The moments crept heavily while Jean tried 
to make up her mind whether she should tell 
Mrs. Deane. She looked at Mrs. Deane as she 
sat there so much at ease and so happy, Jean 
knew, that things were going so smoothly. 
Jean's heart failed her — then she thought of 
Maria and she did not hesitate longer. She 
sat next to Mrs. Deane, and it was easy to tell 
her aside what had happened before the dinner 
began. 

Mrs. Deane excused herself instantly, and 
went to the cocina. She sent Maria at once 
to the hospital. She had to give over the re- 
sponsibility of the dinner to Margarita, a maid 
who knew less about cooking than Mrs. 
Deane herself. She went back to the dining- 
room with many misgivings as to the out- 


come. 


An Important Dinner 197 

Scarcely had she reseated herself when there 
came a terrible crash from the cocina. Mar- 
garita had overturned the tray which had all 
the dishes for the next course upon it. One 
catastrophe followed another. In her con- 
fusion Margarita forgot to watch the things 
which were just getting done, and they were 
burnt to a crisp. There was a long delay and 
Mrs. Deane could not keep the little lines of 
worry out of her forehead. 

The smell of the burned delicacies reached 
the dining-room and Jean^s heart sank. She 
began to reproach herself for upsetting the 
beautiful dinner. Perhaps, after all, there 
was no need for Maria to hurry away to Car- 
los. Jean moved about uneasily upon her 
chair and tried to appear interested in the 
bright things which Miss Clinton was saying. 

Finally the wait became so prolonged that 
Mrs. Deane had to excuse herself again, and 
when she returned there was nothing to do 
but to announce that the rest of the dinner 
was ruined. 


198 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Let's finish with chafing-dish things/’ 
suggested Miss Clinton. 

Jean begged to be allowed to help. She 
was very eager to do something which would 
counterbalance what she felt then was unnec- 
essary interference on her part. She wanted 
to tell the guests why the dinner was spoiled, 
but Mrs. Deane didn’t even mention the 
change of servants in the cocina, and Jean 
did not feel free to speak. 

The guests entered heartily into the chafing- 
dish arrangement, and they were all laughing 
and having a most informal good time when 
Dr. Trumbull came back. Their busy hum of 
conversation was punctuated by exclamations 
of delighted surprise at his quick return. 

“ Why, it seems as if you’d just gone,” said 
Mrs. Trumbull. 

That speaks well for your entertainment,” 
he answered. What have I missed? ” 
“We’ve been having a jolly time choosing 
what we shall make upon the chafing-dish. 
You are just in time to mix this flour and 


An Important Dinner 199 

water for us/’ said Miss Clinton, promptly 
handing him a bowl and a spoon. 

Dr. Trumbull went at his appointed task 
with evident delight. 

“ This is a most original dinner-party, Mrs. 
Deane,” he said to his hostess who was busily 
at work. “ I am sorry I have missed any of 
it, but I was called to the hospital to see a 
patient in whose case I am much interested. 
The little fellow had developed some sudden, 
peculiar symptoms and the attendants were 
alarmed. They sent a message to me and to his 
mother to come at once. His mother, by the 
way, is a cook and she had to leave a dinner- 
party to go. It occurred to me that she must 
have a very considerate mistress. Not every 
woman would let her dinner be spoiled under 
such circumstances.” 

Mrs. Deane flushed and stirred the contents 
of the chafing-dish more vigorously than was 
necessary. Jean listened breathlessly. She 
must tell. 

The words were on her lips when Maria 


200 A Little Princess of the Patio 

herself came to the door and said that she 
could take care of the dinner now. Little 
Carlos was not really worse — it was a turn for 
the better instead of the worse. 

Dr. Trumbull gave an exclamation of sur- 
prise as he looked first at Mrs. Deane, then at 
Maria. 

You are Marians mistress,^* he exclaimed, 
as the situation dawned upon him. 

Mrs. Trumbull came forward impulsively 
and caught Mrs. Deane's hands warmly in 
hers. - 

You are a true woman," she cried en- 
thusiastically. 

Jean spilled the sugar in her excitement, 
for the look in Mrs. Trumbull's eyes was a 
sure prophecy for Mrs. Deane. 

After all, Jean exulted to herself, she had 
not hindered Mrs. Deane, but helped her. 
Her pretty little friend would no longer be 
lonely in Orizaba. 


CHAPTER XI 


THE EASTER DRAMA 

Are you getting tired of Mexico, Jean ? 
Mr. Kingsley asked rather anxiously as he 
came home from his work one evening. 

“ Tired Jean^s voice held all the assur- 
ance Mr. Kingsley needed that Mexico held 
quite as much charm for Jean as when she 
first came. 

You'll not mind spending Easter here, 
then? I had expected to get away before, 
but I find such a complication of business 
affairs that I must stay on for a little while." 

** It will be great fun to see what Easter is 
like in Mexico, and I can learn a lot more 
Spanish by that time." 

Yes, from now on you can put in some 
time regularly each day with a tutor. You 

have had a long vacation from your school 
201 


202 A Little Princess of the Patio 

work, but I think it is just what you need, 
while you are growing so fast.” 

This extension of their stay in Mexico 
delighted Jean, for she found something new 
to enjoy each day. Then too she became 
more and more attached to her patio. 

If I could only be princess of my patio, 
I'd be quite happy,” Jean said to Amado 
frequently, but I guess Tubby has forgotten 
all about it. He never says anything, and of 
course I'll not remind him.” 

Tubby indeed seemed absorbed in his work. 
When Jean saw him, he never mentioned 
anything concerning her probation and she 
began to think the matter no longer had a 
place in his mind. 

Maybe he's getting too grown-up to think 
of such things, but being princess means just 
as much to me as it ever did, and ever so 
much more because I didn't know how much 
it really did mean until all of a sudden I 
wasn't one any more.” 

Tubby was so busy that he had no time to 


The Easter Drama 


203 


go with Beatrice, Felipe and Jean to visit 
some of the churches during the week before 
Easter. 

The church of San Miguel had always 
interested Jean more than any other church 
in Orizaba, because she said it had more little 
alms-boxes. It was not the alms-boxes them- 
selves, but the varied inscriptions upon them, 
that interested Jean. This was the first 
church Jean visited when she came to 
Orizaba, and she never forgot that first 
service. Jean had never seen a robe so 
gorgeous as that which the priest wore — it 
was almost all gold embroidery, with here and 
there a bit of white lace over purple silk 
showing through. The incense, the candles, 
the glitter of gilt on the altar, the spellbound 
worshipers made it all seem like a picture to 
Jean. A group of Indians in white had 
come in that day and as they knelt they 
made a tableau which Jean held fast in her 
memory. 

There was a certain hush of waiting during 


204 A Little Princess of the Patio 

the Holy Week services — a certain tension 
which was apparent to spectators like Jean. 

For some of the peons who craved more 
demonstration this restraint proved too much 
by the day after Good Friday. Felipe came 
into Jean^s patio about sunset with an excit- 
ing announcement. 

“ Some of the peons have started a parade/' 
he cried, calling her out to the street. 

Coming up the street was an excited line of 
peons forming a very disorderly religious 
procession. 

What is that they are carrying in front? " 
Jean asked interestedly, as she distinguished 
an effigy held high in the air by the leaders. 

That's an effigy of Judas — they're going 
to blow him up," explained Felipe. 

Behind the bearers of the effigy came men, 
women and children, some shouting, some 
singing. The Mexicans' love for the dra- 
matic and sensational found expression in 
this demonstration, and they apparently en- 
joyed it the more, because they knew they 


The Easter Drama 205 

were doing something which was contrary to 
the law. 

“ They're turning to go right by the jefe's 
house," exclaimed Felipe. They sho'ly are 
huntin' trouble, fo' it's against the law to 
have a religious procession in the street." 

On the straggling procession moved, 
straight toward the jefe's house, as if in 
defiance of all rule. 

Senor Gonzales will be sure to see them," 
Jean said breathlessly, ** for he is at home. I 
saw him come back just a little while ago." 

Senor Gonzales came out of his house in 
amazement, and gave immediate orders for 
the procession to stop. 

** There is li'T Lucio," Felipe exclaimed as 
he suddenly espied Lucio clinging to his 
father. ‘‘That child boun' to see ev'ything 
that's goin' on." 

At the jefe's command, the peons came to a 
sudden halt. There was a little lull, and the 
men talked between themselves. Then some 
one called out defiantly, and the leaders 


2o6 a Little Princess of the Patio 

lifted their effigy. The procession started to 
move on. 

Sehor Gonzales sent Lucio back into the 
house and stepped forward to assert his 
authority. The excited peons hooted at him 
and some one daringly threw a stone. Riot 
was in the air, and Sehor Gonzales knew that 
the crowd would have to be handled care- 
fully, or there would be trouble. He tried to 
reason with them and get them to disband. 
He sent for the priest. Sehor Gonzales, who 
was of the same faith, knew that the priest 
would not countenance defiance of the law in 
the people of his church. 

When the priest came, Sehor Gonzales tried 
to learn whether he had known of the inten- 
tion to hold a procession. Some peon started 
the word about the crowd that the jefe was 
going to arrest the priest. This was not true, 
since Sehor Gonzales had not 3^et learned 
whether there was anything to arrest him for, 
but the word flew from lip to lip as fact and 
incensed the already excited mob to daring 


The Easter Drama 


207 


action. Stones began to fly thick and fast, and 
for a time there seemed no possibility of con- 
trolling the people. 

“ Oh, why doesn’t the jefe send for the 
rurales ? ” cried Jean anxiously. Something 
dreadful will happen.” 

“ They’ll jes’ do mos’ anything now,” 
screamed Felipe, starting across the street. 

'' Don’t go, Felipe, you’ll get hurt,” begged 
Jean. 

“ Yo’ goin’ yo’se’f — an’ I’m not goin’ to stay 
here when I c’n maybe he’p,” returned Felipe 
stoutly. 

The rurales were arriving by the time Jean 
and Felipe reached the house. In the front 
Jean saw Pedro, and he looked as if he were 
enjoying it immensely. 

It’s just like going to a party to Pedro,” 
said Jean to Felipe, as they watched him ad- 
miringly. 

The peons shrank back as soon as the rurales 
appeared and it seemed as if the excitement 
was all over. The rurales arrested several of 


2 o 8 a Little Princess of the Patio 


the leaders and the crowd dispersed instantly. 
Sefior Gonzales went with the rurales to at- 
tend the trial of the peons who had caused 
the trouble. 

The people look as if they^d do something 
yet if they just dared/^ Jean observed as she 
watched them move slowly away. 

They wouldn't dare — they know it'd mean 
drum-head court-martial fo' 'em if they did," 
answered Felipe with much relief. 

Lucio called to them and they saw his 
little head bobbing back of the sala window- 
bars. 

‘‘ Let's go in and see Vitch and Wutsch," 
Jean suggested. ‘‘ I haven't seen them for 
three days." 

Senora Gonzales is feelin' po'hly — maybe 
we'd bettah not go," said Felipe, hesitating. 

‘‘ Maybe we can see the twins without dis- 
turbing her. If she's sick, they'll not be in 
the same room." 

So they went in, much to Lucio's delight. 
He had had to be so quiet, he told them, since 


The Easter Drama 209 

his mother had been ill the last few days. 
The twins slept all the time — they had even 
slept through the disturbance outside, he said 
with marked disgust. He was getting tired 
waiting for them to grow up and play with 
him. Jean and Felipe entered very willingly 
into some games with Lucio up-stairs in his 
nursery, and his little heart was soothed. 

They had to play quietly, for Sehora 
Gonzales was occupying an up-stairs room 
now to avoid the noise of the patio. 

They grew absorbed in their playing and 
the time slipped on rapidly without their 
realizing how late it was growing. 

Jean suddenly lifted her head. 

I smell smoke,” she cried, jumping to her 
feet and rushing to the door. 

When she opened the door a great cloud of 
smoke rushed in. 

“ The house is on fire,” she screamed. 

A few of the most daring peons had taken 
advantage of the jefe^s absence, and while the 
servants were busy preparing the supper these 


210 A Little Princess of the Patio 

malicious ones had returned and set fire to the 
dwelling from several sides. The house was 
made of wood instead of plaster and stucco, 
like most of the Mexican houses, and it burned 
readily. Since the season had been unusually 
dry, the wood caught the fire quickly and be- 
fore the people inside knew it, they were in 
great danger. 

Go ahead of me, Felipe,^' Jean said, push- 
ing him in front of her. '' I'll see that you 
don't fall." 

“Nemmine me," returned Felipe. '*Jes' 
you get Lucio outen here an' I'll see to 
myse'f." 

He started out nimbly, hating his crutches 
at that moment as he had never hated them, 
because they kept him from helping Jean 
with Lucio. 

The smoke was so stifling that they could 
hardly make their way down-stairs. Felipe 
stumbled and would have fallen if Jean had 
not steadied him and urged him on. On all 
sides they heard the cries of the frightened 


The Easter Drama 211 

servants. When they finally got outdoors 
they found them all in the street, huddled to- 
gether, gazing terror-stricken at the leaping 
flames. 

One of the faithful nurses came out half 
carrying Senora Gonzales, who gave a cry of 
relief when she saw Lucio. 

Vitch and Wutsch,^' gasped Jean, in 
horror. 

The other nurse was bringing them, Senora 
Gonzales said, as she lay wringing her hands 
in her anxiety. She tried to go back herself 
to help, but she fell back weakly. 

Jean ran to the only door where entrance 
was possible now, so rapidly had the flames 
spread. There she met the nurse staggering 
out, — without the twins ! 

The smoke was too dense, the nurse said, 
and the flames too close — she could not get to 
the twins. Jean dashed into the house with- 
out a moment^s hesitancy. Whatever was 
done to save them must be done at once. 
Fire departments are not a great necessity in 


212 


A Little Princess of the Patio 

Mexico because almost all the buildings are 
made of concrete or stucco. Whatever help 
might come would be too late. 

She turned once more to the stairs, groping 
her way along the wall, choking and half 
fainting from the smoke. The flames licked 
at her from all sides, and soon she felt the 
fierce heat of the fire at her back. Jean 
pushed madly on as if a demon were pursu- 
ing her. She remembered the Thing when 
she was lost on the desert. How dreadful it 
was — such a slipping, creeping Thing — but it 
was not half so horrible as this Demon which 
threatened to overpower her. The Thing was 
cold and the Demon was hot. She knew 
that if once the Demon got her into its 
clutches it would be far more cruel than the 
Thing. 

She made a last desperate dash to get away 
from it and fell heavily against the door 
which shut her away from the twins. 
Vaguely, she heard voices calling frantically 
to her from below. Did she hear Father 



GROPING HER WAY ALONG THE WALL 







The Easter Drama 213 

Dick^s voice ? What did he want her to do ? 
She couldn^t make out what any one said. 
She felt herself suffocating. In a moment 
the flames would reach her. She pulled her- 
self up and grasped weakly at the door-knob. 
The door-knobs in Seilor Gonzales’ house 
were among the few things in the house 
which were characteristically Mexican. Jean 
fumbled to open the door and found herself 
wondering why Mexicans preferred to have 
their door-knobs so close to the framework 
that a body’s fingers always got pinched. 

Once inside the room Jean could breathe 
again, for the smoke had not yet reached the 
room. She carefully shut the door and, as 
soon as she could recover herself, she ran to 
the twins’ cribs. 

There they were, still fast asleep, and as 
Jean awakened them and picked them up 
gently one after the other, they each gave a 
little cry — unmistakably “ Ah-goo,” with a 
very decided accent on the last syllable. 

You dear little Vitch and Wutsch,” Jean 


214 


A Little Princess of the Patio 


cried passionately. You shall go with me, 
bless your hearts.’^ 

She wrapped them securely and covered 
their faces softly, then courageously opened 
the door to face the Demon again. She closed 
it again hastily — the fire had reached the 
door. For a second she stood spellbound. 
She felt as if she were entrapped. She held 
the little twins close to her heart. One of 
them put its hand against her cheek and the 
touch seemed to awaken Jean to action. 

She thought for the first time of the win- 
dow, and she ran frantically to look out. 

She saw the people below as through a haze. 
She heard shouts — they were calling her name. 
She held the little twins up so they could be 
seen. There was a shout of joy, followed by 
a confusion of anxious cries for her to make 
haste and get out of the house. 

She took all the sheets and coverlets from 
the cribs and tied them together. 

ITl have to make Siamese twins of you,^^ 
she said to the babies as she fastened them se- 


The Easter Drama 


215 


curely together. Then by means of the rope 
she had made, she lowered the twins into 
waiting arms. 

“ Now lower yourself,” was the cry to her 
from below. 

It would have been easy enough, had she 
secured the rope to something inside the room, 
for her to escape by sliding hand over hand 
down to the ground, but in her excitement, 
when once she saw the twins were safe, she 
had let her end of the rope fall, and though 
those below made frantic efforts to throw it 
back to her she could not catch it. Every one 
who tried to reach her by coming up the stair- 
way was driven back by the flames. 

There was a great crackling and snapping 
— she glanced back and saw the fire breaking 
into the room. She could hear the hissing of 
the water as it played upon the fire with little 
effect. Was the Demon, after all, going to 
reach her? 

There was a cry from below. Some one 
was calling to her to jump. There was not' 


2i6 a Little Princess of the Patio 

time to wait for ladders. They were holding 
out a serape. It looked very far away. 

Jump, Jean — -jump ! ” 

It was her father's voice. 

Jean shut her eyes and jumped from the 
window. She fell upon the taut serape, 
safe but unconscious. The first thing she 
heard when she came to herself was Tubby’s 
voice. 

^‘That was a sure ’nough princess thing 
to do.” 


CHAPTER XII 


THE BASEBALL GAME 

'*I^M tired of doin^ Mexican things/^ an- 
nounced Tubby one day as he came into 
Jean^s patio. 

Why, there^s always something different 
to do. I don’t see how you can get tired,” 
Jean answered, rearranging some of her flower- 
pots. 

“ Yes, but it’s always something Mexican. 
Everything’s Mexican.” 

Tubby spoke in a decided tone of disgust. 

** How can you expect it not to be when 
we’re in Mexico ? ” 

** Well, I s’pose it’s natural, but it’s gettin’ 
tiresome to me. Why even that fire was Mex- 
ican. The idea of not having a fire depart- 
ment with a fine wagon and big horses, and 
ladders and all the rest of it. Now if you’d 
been in the United States you wouldn’t have 
had to jump out of the window.” 

217 


2i8 a Little Princess of the Patio 

Yes, but it wouldn’t have been half so 
exciting if I hadn’t.” 

You can say that now when you’re safe 
and the thing seems like something that hap- 
pened maybe when you were dreamin’, but I 
guess you wouldn’t have objected to seein’ a 
long enough ladder handy at the time. I 
declare I don’t see ^how you ever made up 
your mind to jump. You might have broken 
your neck.” 

I didn’t stop to make up my mind. I 
just jumped and thought afterward.” 

I s’pose that’s as good a way as any for 
everything, only most people are too scared 
to do it. Anyhow people don’t have to do 
it in the United States, unless they want 
to.” 

Oh, I believe they do sometimes. Tubby, 
—everything doesn’t always go right at a 
fire. You haven’t had a good word for Mex- 
ico lately. You don’t even notice my new 
camellias. You could never see those in the 
United States.” 


The Baseball Game 219 

“ Maybe not, but I wouldn’t miss ’em if I 
could see some sand lilies. They^re just about 
cornin’ out now, I s’pose, in Nevada.” 

You’re homesick, Tubby.” 

Not on your life,” scorned Tubby. 

** Well, you are — I just know by the way 
you act. You say horrid things about Mex- 
ico, and you never want to do things any 
more.” 

I want to do something , American,” 
growled Tubby, pulling his hat over his eyes. 
** Now if I could just play a game of baseball.” 

“Why don’t you?” 

“ Why don’t I ? Who’d I play with ? ” 

“ I should think you could get up a nine. 
That clerk down at the American store would 
play, I believe.” 

“ But it takes nine,” said Tubby, “ and nine 
more on the other side. Where’d I get nine 
fellows to play ? Now if Fred Smith would 
just take time from his pictures — he played in 
St. Louis only last year. He told me all 
about his patented popovers that won the big 


220 


A Little Princess of the Patio 

game for his nine. I wish I^d been there to 
yell. He threw scorchers every time ” 

** Tubby, whatever are patented popovers ? 
And scorchers ? 

** Don’t you know ? Why, that means he 
was a good pitcher. Don’t you know how to 
talk baseball ? ” 

No, I don’t, but I’d like to learn. It sounds 
interesting. It must be a language by itself, 
like a baby’s.” 

** It is — but it’s easier to learn, that is if 
you know the game.” 

” I don’t know the game — I’ve never 
played it.” 

“ It’s the greatest game on earth,” said 
Tubby enthusiastically. If I could just have 
a bat in my hands for a few minutes, I’d feel 
all right again. I believe I’ll try to get up a 
nine. Maybe I can find nine fellows that’ll 
go in for the game.” 

** Whom would you play against ? ” 

** I’d have to show some of these Mexicans 
the game. I guess they could learn all right. 


The Baseball Game 221 

Most of them are fast and shifty on their feet, 
and that makes a good ball player. They're 
quick enough when they want to be." 

I don't believe they'd like so much run- 
ning." 

“ They wouldn't care, if they liked the 
game. They'd forget all about how much 
work it was. Anyhow, it's worth try in' just 
to have a game." 

Tubby left the patio in great haste, so eager 
was he to organize the teams. 

You've left your coat," Jean called after 
him. 

** Never mind. I'll not need it when I'm 
givin' demonstrations to the Mexicans." 

Jean stood looking dejectedly after Tubby 
as he hurried down the street. He was walk- 
ing with unwonted exertion for Tubby. 

“ He must be dreadfully interested in base- 
ball to walk as fast as that," Jean said to 
herself, feeling quite shut out from this 
absorbing amusement. 

It was nightfall before Tubby returned for 


222 


A Little Princess of the Patio 

his coat. He was very warm and obviously 
tired out, but was more excited than Jean 
had seen him since he had been in Mexico. 

IVe got a Red, White and Blue nine, and 
the Mexican nine's started — I'll have the rest 
of 'em by to-morrow night," Tubby reported. 

It was as easy as pie gettin' a United States 
nine — why, eveiy one was just crazy to play. 
Fred Smith said sure he would play ; and I 
got Niles from the American store and Baker, 
that civil engineer that's workin' on the new 
railroad, and his chum Pratt, another en- 
gineer. Then I picked up Teasdale, the 
fellow from San Francisco, that's down here 
for curios, and Tom McConnell. Tom's 
father's a promoter, I guess — I didn't have 
time to find out exactly ; but he knows the 
game. The rest are young fellows too — Billy 
Donohue, whose father is goin' to start the 
hotel, an' Fritz Riehl, a twelve-year-old that's 
traveled all around the world. His father's 
so rich he can't count his money. Fritz's 
father and mother are German, but Fritz was 


The Baseball Game 


223 


born in Kansas, so I guess he can play on a 
United States baseball nine. He is a corking 
catcher. I think he can play short-stop. I 
make the ninth fellow, so that’s enough. 
I’ll get Sehor Vasquez for our umpire — he’ll 
be square and every one will take his de- 
cisions without grumbling.” 

** It didn’t take you long to pick out your 
nine,” Jean commented, much interested. 

It wasn’t hard, because every one was as 
ready for a good game of baseball as I am. 
It’s a pretty much mixed up nine — all sizes and 
ages — but that \yon’t matter so long as we’re 
all Americans. We’re going to have our first 
practice to-morrow, then I’ll put all the men 
in the places they can play best. They’ve 
elected me captain ; I’ll have to be an out- 
fielder, I guess, so I can see what’s goin’ 
on.” 

Jean and Beatrice were present at the 
practice, and they were greatly thrilled by the 
general atmosphere of excitement which 
attended the playing. Tubby was very en- 


224 A Little Princess of the Patio 

thusiastic about the possibilities of the nine 
when he talked things over later with 
them. 

“ Niles will make a good left-fielder, because 
he’s a tall fellow and can cover the ground 
and meet the balls all right. Baker can play 
third base — he’s a good thrower and quick to 
make up his mind whom he’s going to throw 
to. He knows how to trap the ball better 
than the rest of the fellows, and third base is 
where that’s needed. I’ll make Pratt centre- 
fielder and Fritz Riehl short-stop. Tom 
McConnell will be fine on second base, be- 
cause he can take balls either side even when 
they come k-plop at him. 

That’s one of the places for a little fellow, 
anyhow. First base is a mighty hard place, 
and I guess Teasdale’s the one for it. He’s 
such a sure catch and sticks to the base when 
he’s needed. He can’t throw very well, but 
he can catch, and that’s more important at 
first base. Billy Donohue will have to be 
catcher. Of course Fred Smith will be 


The Baseball Game 225 

pitcher, and he^s the big man of the team. 
It's a pretty much mixed up team, little and 
big, but we’ll play a good game all right. 
I’m going to get the Mexicans out now.” 

Then Tubby rushed off to give first in- 
structions to the other nine. His first report 
was glowing. 

Say, they’re great,” he announced. “ It’s 
goin’ to be hard work for us to beat them 
once they learn the game, they’re so quick 
and run so fast. We’ll practice every day for 
a while, and then have a big game.” 

Tubby named over the members of his 
Mexican nine, and acquainted Jean and 
Beatrice with the respective merits of Juan, 
Jose, Domingo, Miguel, Francisco, Bonifacio, 
Canuto — all new acquaintances Tubby had 
made — and finally, Pedro and Escipibn, in 
whom they were most interested. To Tubby’s 
surprise several of them already knew the 
game, having been taught by Pedro, who had 
been in the United States. 

“ Escipion is going to make a fine pitcher. 


226 A Little Princess of the Patio 

and Pedro is a first-rate out-fielder/^ Tubby 
said, approvingly. 

Every day Jean and Beatrice with Felipe 
and Lucio attended practice faithfully and it 
was not long before they were burning to 
play themselves. 

Vwe never wished to be a boy before,^' 
Jean remarked dejectedly after a particularly 
exciting game. I’d give anything if I could 
play too. I can catch — I’ve learned how with 
Father Dick. I’d love to play.” 

So would I,” Beatrice said longingly. 
** Maybe I could make a home run — I can 
run so fast.” 

** If I didn’t have crutches,” sighed Felipe, 
“ I reckon I c’d play too.” 

Never mind, Felipe,” answered Jean com- 
fortingly ; Dr. Trumbull says he is going to 
find a way to cure you. You know he is cur- 
ing Carlos. He will soon be able to walk 
without crutches.” 

If I evah do get cured of crutches. I’ll 
play baseball the first thing — I sho’ly will.” 


The Baseball Game 


227 


Lucio thought that when the twins grew up 
he would not have to decide which would be 
his motor-man. He would play baseball 
with them instead. 

The next day Tubby came to practice late, 
with depressing news. 

Fritz Riehl has to go away from Orizaba 
because his father’s got the wanderlust. 
Fritz says he’s always getting it. I don’t 
know what kind of disease it is, but he has to 
go away from Orizaba to get cured.” 

Oh, Tubby I Wanderlust isn’t a disease,” 
Jean cried, laughing very hard at Tubby’s re- 
marks. It’s one of Tante Elsa’s words, and 
it means the desire to go somewhere else — to 
roam around and travel. It’s a call to go 
away somewhere else.” 

It must be a hurry-up call,” Tubby said, 
joining in the laugh at his expense. 
** They’re goin’ to leave to-day, so Fritz can’t 
play with us. And worse luck — Tom 
McConnell’s goin’ off too with his father. 
Tom says promoters never stay very long in 


228 A Little Princess of the Patio 

one place. Now the Red, White and Blues 
are out a short-stop and a second baseman. 

Oh, let us play,” suggested Beatrice 
quickly. Jean can catch and I can run like 
everything.” 

Jean gasped at Beatrice's suggestion, but 
seconded it with much self-assurance. 

Of course we can play. Tubby,” she said 
eagerly. 

Ho,” ejaculated Tubby, with a boy's scorn 
of a girl's skill at baseball. “ You couldn't 
play. You don't even understand the 
game.” 

Yes, we do — we've watched it so many 
times, and listened to all the explanations 
very carefully,” insisted Beatrice. I even 
know what the ' squeeze play ' is.” 

“ But girls always lose their heads,” Tubby 
went on dubiously. 

** Let 'em try — I b’lieve they c'n play for a 
fac',” urged Felipe chivalrously. 

Well, I s'pose it'll not hurt to try, and I 
don’t know any one else to take Fritz's and 


The Baseball Game 229 

Tom's places," agreed Tubby finally. ** Let's 
have a trial game." 

The girls made some comical blunders at 
first. Beatrice stopped a ball by sprawling flat 
in front of it, and Jean ran all the bases be- 
fore she realized that she could not score on a 
foul ball. But after their first excitement 
subsided, they surprised Tubby by their play- 
ing. He recognized the ** material " to make 
two good baseball players. 

“ You can throw just like a boy, Jean," he 
said, after the practice was over. I guess I'll 
make you short-stop and you, Beatrice — 
you're so quick, I think you can make a 
second baseman if you practice hard. You 
both do pretty well. I didn't s'pose a girl 
could ever catch a ball, much less hit it. 
You've saved our nine, all right. I couldn't 
find a soul to take those two places. Mr. 
Kingsley and Dr. Trumbull were too busy, 
and besides we can't have all grown-ups 
when the Mexicans are partly little shavers. 
It's lucky you can play a little." 


230 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Jean and Beatrice accepted his praise very 
modestly, but they put their arms around 
each other’s necks and went off giggling 
in a way which made Tubby very uncom- 
fortable. 

We’ll show him how we can play when 
the big game comes,” Beatrice said emphatic- 
ally. 

Yes, then he’ll be sorry he ever laughed 
at us,” Jean answered with a flash of indigna- 
tion. 

“Nemmine,” soothed Felipe, “you all b’long 
to the United States, an’ you’re workin’ for 
the same red, white and blue cause.” 

“ Yes, we are, and we’ll help win the game, 
not just to defeat the Mexican nine but to 
show Tubby that girls can play baseball just 
as well as boys.” 

The temporary bleachers were crowded the 
day of the big game, and each nine had 
plenty of rooters. Though the Americans 
were in the minority they understood the art 


The Baseball Game 231 

of “ rooting ’’ so well and carried so many 
flags that the actual number did not matter. 

“ I can shout for three/’ said Mr. Kingsley 
with a boy’s excitement when the game was 
called. 

“ I hope I may be allowed a cheer or two,” 
remarked Cousin Rachel, much interested as 
the American nine appeared on the field in 
white suits and one red and one blue stocking. 
Jean and Beatrice had their white sailor suits 
freshly laundered for the occasion. 

Escipion started the game as pitcher. 
Thanks to what Tubby called one of Pedro’s 

circus stunts ” on a long drive off the young 
engineer’s bat, the first two batters to face 
Escipidn were put out. 

Pratt, Pratt,” yelled the American con- 
tingent as that able batsman sent a ball a bit 
too far for Pedro to capture. Jean hopped up 
and down and screamed as the ball bounced 
off the end of Pedro’s glove. 

” Don’t get excited, Jean,” called Tubby. 

Jean remembered what Tubby had said 


232 A Little Princess of the Patio 

about girls losing their heads, and from that 
moment she betrayed not the slightest sign of 
excitement. 

Skeedaddle, Niles, skeedaddle, for the red, 
white and blue,^^ shouted Dr. Trumbull as 
Niles reached third base. 

Tubby went to the plate, masterfully cut a 
ball to Juan, and reached first base, while 
Pratt went home. 

Get right into the burglar ranks. Tubby,” 
called Mr. Kingsley excitedly as Tubby hesi- 
tated. 

** You must interpret your baseball lan- 
guage to me,” said Cousin Rachel, laughing at 
Dr. Trumbull’s and Mr. Kingsley’s excitement. 

Tubby tried to steal, but Canuto adroitly 
put him out by a fine throw to Bonifacio on 
second base. Jean saw a determined look 
upon Tubby’s face as he went out and she 
knew what it meant. 

When the Red, White and Blues scored in 
the first inning there was wild enthusiasm, 
which made Tubby shake his head. 


The Baseball Game 


233 


“ We’ve not won the game yet,” he said. 

Neither side scored in the second, and in 
the third the Red, White and Blues started out 
with fresh vim to accomplish something. 

Billy Donohue and Fred Smith were 

down when Niles proved that his legs 
were even faster than the ball he drove at 
Juan. 

** Keep up the good work, Niles,” came the 
cry from the bleachers as he passed second. 
Then came a cheer for Pratt and another for 
Niles. Tubby came on at this point, and as 
he came walking out to the plate he flung 
back his shoulders as much as to say Escipidn 
could take no chances with him. 

“ I thought Tubby was going to send some- 
body to the hospital,” gasped Dr. Trumbull, 
as Tubby slashed a ball at Domingo. 

The ball bounded into the air and went 
almost to the bleachers before it hit the 
ground. Niles and Pratt came home with 
their runs easily, and Tubby went clipping 
along to second. 


234 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Walk it, Tubby,” cried his compatriots 
cheering. 

“ Better end it, Jean,” cried Dr. Trumbull, 
as he stood up and waved his cane. Put up 
a little one they can catch.” 

Jean promptly obeyed, and again the flags 
waved frantically as the inning ended and 
the score went up : 3-2. 

The Mexicans are not going to let us off 
so easily,” commented Mr. Kingsley when the 
second half began. Fred Smith will have 
trouble. The Mexicans have mastered the 
game surprisingly well.” 

Juan began with a grounder past second 
which Jean promptly tried to hurry to first 
base only to send Billy Donohue off the bag. 
Moments like these made Jean shut her teeth. 
Then Pedro sent a ball toward third which 
jumped over Baker's shoulder. Jose 
** fanned,” but Domingo hit to right for a 
single and Juan scored. Miguel sent another 
single to right and Pedro scored. 

Jean started to cheer Pedro's good playing, 


The Baseball Game 


235 


but she caught herself in time. Tubby had 
said any demonstration from the team was out 
of order. She was glad therefore to hear her 
father cheering Pedro heartily with Sehor 
Gonzales. . A good play won Mr. Kingsley^s 
applause, no matter who made it. 

This is getting interesting,’’ said Cousin 
Rachel, sitting up very straight in order not 
to miss anything, and I believe I really 
understand the game now for the first time in 
my life.” 

Francisco hit a ball to the American curio 
dealer Teasdale and a double play followed. 

Fred Smith needs some assistance badly,” 
commented Mr. Kingsley, interestedly watch- 
ing Jean and Beatrice at this crisis. 

Beatrice got Francisco’s grounder. 

On the scoop, too,” cried Felipe admir- 
ingly. 

Then she passed the ball on to Jean, who 
made the throw to first base rather awk- 
wardly, but so rapidly that the spectators for 
a moment could scarcely believe it. 


236 A Little Princess of the Patio 

There was wild applause from the bleachers 
for Jean and Beatrice. Jean gave Beatrice a 
look which said plainly, “ Keep on.^^ 

Pedro^s the one who’s grabbin’ the spot- 
light honohs for the Mexicans,” Felipe shouted 
as Pedro went on making long drives in a 
way which suddenly took considerable con- 
fidence out of the Red, White and Blues. 
** I’m mighty glad he’s not triplets.” 

At the beginning of the fourth inning 
Beatrice made a single to left. Teasdale 
sent a good ball, then Billy Donohue hit to 
Bonifacio. 

^‘Bonifacio acts as if he had a chill — he 
can’t hold the ball,” cried Senor Gonzales 
excitedly. 

“ The bases are loaded plum full,” screamed 
Felipe, beating the air with his crutch. 

Fred Smith sent a grounder to Juan, and 
Felipe held his breath, for his sympathy was 
with the Red, White and Blue team. 

A fly from Niles went safely to right and 
Teasdale scored. Baker hit a grounder past 


The Baseball Game 


237 


first, then Billy Donohue scored. Miguel 
made a wide throw to the plate, and the ball 
took a bound over Canuto’s head. Niles 
scored with Fred Smith, and the fourth 
inning ended with loud cheers for the Red, 
White and Blue. 

Escipibn was still fresh in the fifth inning, 
and Tubby was out, for a starter. Jean’s ball 
took a bad bound and hit Domingo in the 
chest, but he was not hurt, much to her re- 
lief. Beatrice’s ball was stopped in fine form 
by Juan. Jean was clinging to second base 
and madly started for third. 

Go back — go back,” came the cry from 
the bleachers, but Jean sped on. Juan’s wide 
throw saved her, and she reached third in 
time. She scored on a sacrifice hit to Josb. 
Jean could not remember being so proud of 
anything before in her life. 

Billy Donohue made the third out on a fly 
to Pedro and this ended the Red, White and 
Blue scoring. 

The Mexicans made their third run in the 


238 A Little Princess of the Patio 

eighth inning, when they seemed to pick up 
sadden energy. Miguel began by being hit 
by a pitched ball. 

“ You’ll have a case yet, Dr. Trumbull,” 
said Cousin Rachel anxiously. 

** Never fear, — it would take a much 
harder ball than that to put Miguel out,” 
he answered, scarcely taking his eyes off the 
field. 

“ Francisco flew out,” yelled Felipe, an’ 
Bonifacio is forcin’ Miguel.” 

Canute sent a lazy ball past first base, which 
went for a three-base hit, and Bonifacio scored, 
much to the satisfaction of the Mexican spec- 
tators, who proved their lung power very 
promptly. 

“ Nine-three ” was the final score which 
the umpires called. Then such an ovation 
as the Red, White and Blues received! 

Isn’t it grand to be an American?” Jean 
cried as she hugged Beatrice ecstatically. 

You don’t mind our making demonstra- 
tions now, do you, Mr. Captain, when the 


The Baseball Game 239 

game’s over ? ” asked Beatrice as Tubby came 
up to them. 

I want to shake hands with both of you,” 
Tubby said delightedly. “ I’m proud of you.” 

Beatrice and Jean shook hands with all due 
dignity, then they collapsed into each other’s 
arms again and began laughing. 

“ I wish you wouldn’t laugh without tell- 
ing me what you are laughing at,” objected 
Tubby. 

Oh, Tubby, can’t you see?” Jean said 
between peals of laughter. Can’t you see? ” 
A light suddenly broke over Tubby. 

Well, maybe I do see. I guess the joke’s 
on me,” he answered, generously holding out 
his hand again. I said girls couldn’t play 
baseball, and if it hadn’t been for you two we 
might never have won the game.” 


CHAPTER XIII 


A NEW QUEST 

Beatrice came into Jean's patio the day 
after the game and flopped dejectedly upon 
the serape which was always spread in the 
shady corner, ready for any weary visitor. 

“ Are you all tired out after the game yes- 
terday ? " Jean asked sympathetically. Base- 
ball isn’t easy to play, is it? ” 

“ I’m tired, but it’s not because I’ve been 
playing baseball,” Beatrice answered dolefully. 
“ I’m just worn out waiting for my father to 
get rich again.” 

** Why, I thought you didn’t mind at all 
any more because you aren’t rich. You know 
how to have a good time so much better than 
you did when you lived in Tonopah and had 
more than you knew what to do with.” 

** Yes, I know ; I’ve never had so much fun 
240 


A New Quest 241 

in my life as I’ve had here in Mexico with 
you. I’ve found out how to enjoy things that 
aren’t expensive. I shouldn’t mind myself 
going on being poor, but I just can’t bear to 
have my mother keep waiting for something 
which never happens, and every day my father 
gets more worn-out looking. I wish I knew 
how to do something to help. I remember 
how you used to help your father by making 
fudge in Tonopah.” 

It’s great fun to help. Why don’t you 
try it?” 

“But what can I do? I’ve thought and 
thought ” 

“ I know,” cried Jean triumphantly, snatch- 
ing a paper near at hand. “ Here is an adver- 
tisement for butterflies and moths of certain 
species. The paper says they are to be found 
in Mexico.” 

“ Well, I don’t see what good that will do 
me!” 

“ You can try to catch them, of course, and 
if you do get them you’ll make a lot of money 


242 A Little Princess of the Patio 

— enough, maybe, to buy your mother a new 
dress.” 

Beatrice’s thin little hand went out eagerly 
for the paper. She read the advertisement 
with growing interest. 

Oh, do you s’pose I could ? I believe I’ll 

try ” Then suddenly her face fell as she 

perused the long names of the butterflies and 
moths. ** But however can I And out what to 
look for? How can I tell which is which?” 

Catch all you can, and some will be sure 
to be the right ones.” 

** That would be cruel, it seems to me — such 
a waste of the pretty things. I’ll ask Dr. 
Trumbull to tell me what these long-named 
ones are like. He knows about all kinds of 
insects and birds and such things.” 

Oh, sure enough, — he can tell you,” Jean 
affirmed with delight. “ He has learned all 
out-of-doors by heart, I believe. He showed 
me a dear little humming-bird’s nest the other 
day — one he had found left over, he said, from 
last year. It was made of vegetable flbres, so 


243 


A New Quest 

fine and soft that they looked like silk. It 
was shaped like a tiny cup with an outside 
cover of lichen. He told me something I 
never knew before about humming-birds when 
they are little. The young ones have short, 
flat bills, and it’s not until they are grown up 
that their bills get as long as their bodies.” 

Yes, he finds out all sorts of things, and 
he has the queerest collection — shells and but- 
terflies and flowers with long names. The 
other day he gave me some beautiful purple 
snail shells that he called ‘ purpura patula,’ and 
some thin, flat bignonia seed which he said 
the natives glue to their foreheads to cure the 
headache. Mother has a dreadful headache 
to-day because she has cried extra hard, and 
I tried to get her to try putting a seed on her 
head, but she said it was nonsense and wouldn’t 
do it. I thought it wouldn’t do any harm to 
try it. I guess if she had some money again 
she wouldn’t need anything for the pain in 
her head. Let’s run over right away and ask 
Dr. Trumbull to tell us about these butterflies, 


244 A. Little Princess of the Patio 

so I can catch them and earn something to 
help. You must try catching them too — it 
wouldn’t be a bit of fun trying it alone.” 

Together they ran out of the patio to find 
Dr. Trumbull. 

He’s at home,” cried Jean in relief as they 
neared the house. “ I can see him puttering 
around in his patio.” 

Dr. Trumbull pushed his glasses upon his 
forehead and greeted them delightedly. 

I was just wishing for some one to help me 
re-pot this fern. It’s getting too ambitious for 
this little green jardiniere. I’ll pay you what 
you ask for your services,” he said humorously. 

We’ll charge you a big price,” Beatrice 
responded, laughing. We w^ant something 
out of your own head.” 

** Gracious ! I hope not one of the few hairs 
I have left — have you noticed how bald I am 
getting to be? Be merciful.” 

It’s nothing like that we want. It’s some- 
thing you know that we don’t.” 

How do you know that I know it ? ” 


A New Quest 245 

“ Well, we are counting on it. If you don^t 
know, it will spoil a beautiful plan.” 

Dr. Trumbull assumed the air of a fright- 
ened schoolboy. 

You make me feel as I used to feel when 
my teacher told me I was to have an exam- 
ination I hadn’t prepared for. I have a 
crinkly sensation up and down my spine and 
my tongue is getting dry.” 

You can pass, I know,” Jean reassured 
him. There are just a few questions.” 

Beatrice handed him the paper and pointed 
to the long scientific names in the advertise- 
ment. 

We want to know what butterflies and 
moths with these names look like.” 

Dr. Trumbull readjusted his glasses and 
studied the names carefully. 

“ Ho, this is what I used to call a snap — 
the examination is so easy.” 

Then you know ? Oh, you do know ? ” 
exclaimed Beatrice, jumping up and down. 

Yes, and I can show you some colored 


246 A Little Princess of the Patio 

pictures of these species. I have just bought 
a new book about the butterflies and moths 
of Mexico. 

He brought out the volume carrying it as 
if he loved it and in a few minutes Jean and 
Beatrice were acquainted with the brilliant 
creatures which bore such unpronounceable 
names. 

When they told Dr. Trumbull their pur- 
pose, he taught them how to look for dis- 
tinguishing marks — certain patches of color 
of various sizes. 

** And how can we catch them ? ” inquired 
Beatrice, excitedly. 

** You must take a lamp with a reflector 
and put it in the garden at night to attract 
the moths. I will show you how to make a 
net which hangs loosely down from the 
reflector — one which you can draw up at the 
bottom while the moth is circling about the 
light. It isnT so hard to capture the moths, 
though these specimens which the advertise- 
ment calls for are very rare, and you ma}^ find 


247 


A New Quest 

it difficult to get just these particular ones. 
The butterflies are harder to catch ; most 
of the rare kinds live so high up. Of course 
you have to look for them in the daytime, 
and they will lead you everywhere in a most 
uncertain hunt. I must show you how to 
preserve the specimens you catch, too.^^ 

Oh, what fun it will be I We'll have all 
kinds of adventures." 

“ And plenty of hard work, if you are in 
earnest about securing these varieties," Dr. 
Trumbull added. 

'' I don't care how hard I have to work if 
I just get them," Beatrice declared, setting 
her lips firmly. 

The rest of the day Beatrice and Jean 
spent in getting their reflectors and nets 
ready. 

I can hardly wait until dark," Jean said, 
when, late in the afternoon, they had every- 
thing in readiness. “ You must put your re- 
flector up in our garden, because there's more 
shrubbery here than in yours, and Dr. Trum- 


248 A Little Princess of the Patio 

bull says that the moths come most where 
there are lots of things growing/' 

“I think ril use my own garden," Beatrice 
answered quickly, with a touch of stiffness 
which made Jean realize the mistake she had 
made. 

“ Let's take turns, first in your garden, then 
ours," Jean hastened to suggest. Then we 
can stay together. Pedro and Escipidn can 
put up posts for the lamps in both places and 
they can watch with us and help us, too." 

Beatrice agreed to this arrangement, since 
she could do so without sacrificing her pride. 
That evening they set up their lamps in 
Beatrice’s little garden, one at each end. The 
night shadows transformed the place into a 
little world of mystery a;id wonder. The 
flowers gave out a moist fragrance, far sweeter 
than the daytime perfume. The little rustle 
of wind made unexpected scurries in the leaves, 
moving them to many a fantastic dance. 

“ I shouldn’t be surprised one bit if we 
catch an elf in our nets instead of moths," 


A New Quest 249 

Jean said, as they settled themselves on a 
garden seat to wait for the moths. 

At first they drew the string and closed the 
nets no matter what kind of moths hovered 
about the lights, and Escipion and Pedro were 
kept busy lowering the lamps so the captives 
could be inspected. After a while, however, 
both Beatrice and Jean grew to recognize 
the common species, like the big white vel- 
vet moths and the chocolate colored ones, 
and let them go without examining them. Al- 
though the evening passed without capturing 
the prize specimens, the girls left the garden 
very reluctantly. The only thing which 
reconciled them to going to bed was the 
thought of their butterfly expedition on the 
next day. 

Early in the morning Escipidn and Pedro 
made preparations for an excursion into some 
of the forests near Orizaba. As they rode out 
into the country, they had new glimpses of 
the town. The streets became dirtier and 
smaller and Anally scattered into nothing 


250 


A Little Princess of the Patio 


more than a hut here and there. At many a 
turning in the road they had to wait for an 
array of fiercely barking dogs, lean turkey- 
buzzards, and dirty children to get out of the 
way before they could pass. They were glad 
when they passed these unlovely parts and 
came to the coffee and banana plantations, 
the orchards and vegetable gardens. Pedro 
spied a mammee tree, and they stopped to look 
about in its laurel-shaped leaves for some of 
the fruit. 

There’s a mammee as big as my head,” 
Pedro announced after a quick inspection. 

It looks as if it were covered with reddish- 
brown plush. Is it really good to eat?” 
questioned Jean dubiously, when Pedro suc- 
ceeded in bringing the fruit to the ground. 

As Pedro cut the round mammee ” he 
flashed a smile which suggested how delicious 
a treat he had procured for them. Delectable 
as the fruit proved to be, neither Beatrice nor 
Jean ate much of it, because they were so 
eager to reach the forest. 


251 


A New Quest 

On the outside of the forest they found a 
luxuriant growth of shrubs and flowers which 
formed a regular barrier to the inside. 

Escipidn and Pedro told the eager butterfly- 
hunters that here was the place to use their 
nets — once inside the forest there were no 
butterflies in sight. But Jean begged so hard 
to have a glimpse of what was beyond this 
tangle of vegetation that the two men hacked 
and slashed until they made a path for en- 
trance. Jean and Beatrice tiptoed, a little 
afraid, into the forest, which seemed gloomy 
and dark indeed after the brilliance of the 
light outside. Only occasional gleams of 
sunlight came through the green above them 
and they walked, not upon grass, but brown 
leaf mold and twigs. Around the tree trunks 
were twisted the bare cable-like stems of the 
liana, which showed no leaves until it reached 
the canopy above. High up they could catch 
glimpses once in a while of wonderful orchids, 
long mosses, and all kinds of brilliant flower- 
ing vines, but below there was no leaflng or 


252 A Little Princess of the Patio 

budding. The trees bore their branches very 
high as if not wishing to waste their force in 
the gloom. 

Everything seems to be fighting to get up 
to the light/^ Jean said, much impressed by 
the struggle for life all about them. 

Pedro told them that if a plant could not 
grow tall enough by itself to penetrate the 
dense canopy above, it made its neighbor 
help. He showed them a cactus which was 
climbing a tree like an ivy in its determina- 
tion to get its share of the light above. 

** I didn^t know cactuses could climb,^^ ex- 
claimed Beatrice. They don't do it in Ne- 
vada." 

Pedro made explanation in his easiest Span- 
ish. 

** No, but they have to learn to do it here 
in the forest or die. Things grow so easily 
here that there's hardly room for all, so it's 
a fight from the first." 

I'm disappointed in a tropical forest," 
Jean declared. ‘‘I can't see one bird, and I 


253 


A New Quest 

expected to see all sorts of gorgeous mot- 
mots and trogons and parrots. There’s noth- 
ing alive here but a few dark little toads and 
lizards. I feel as if there might be snakes too, 
but I don’t see them.” 

Pedro told her that the birds were up above, 
hosts of them, with the butterflies and all the 
bright-colored animal life of the forest. The 
color of the birds is so like the variegated 
brilliance of the flowers there that it is hard 
to distinguish them. Frogs lived up there, too, 
he said, — red and yellow ones — and monkeys 
that swing by their tails from tree to tree. 

Oh, I wish we had an air-ship, so we 
could look down instead of up, then we could 
see what the forest is really like,” said Jean 
in great disappointment. ^^Just think of 
all that color up there where no one can see 
it.” 

** Look, look, even the snakes go up there,” 
cried Beatrice, spying a green tree-snake as it 
glided from branch to branch to the garden 
above. 


254 Little Princess of the Patio 

The sight of the long uncanny snake weav- 
ing its way to the beauty above made the girls 
shudder, and they were soon ready to leave 
the gloomy underwood. As they came out- 
side Beatrice gave a scream of delight. 

There’s one of the butterflies we want I 
The yellow one with specks of lavender on it 
— there on that bush,” she cried, running for- 
ward with her net. 

She was quick enough to net it just as it 
was poising for flight. 

** It must be the one with the longest 
name,” Jean exclaimed jubilantly as they ex- 
amined it, for here is the little splotch of 
black on its wings just like the colored pic- 
ture Dr. Trumbull showed us.” 

They caught no more butterflies that 
looked at all as if they might be the de- 
sired specimens, but they went home jubilant 
with the one gorgeous lavender and yellow 
butterfly, which they thought must be one 
that would bring a prize. 

Jean’s disappointment was as great as Bea- 


A New Quest 255 

trice’s when Dr. Trumbull told them that it 
was a comparatively common specimen and 
not one they wanted at all. They had for- 
gotten to look for the fringe of black just visi- 
ble at the tips of the wings. 

Oh, well, we shouldn’t expect to find one 
the very first day,” Beatrice said with 
quickly rebounding courage, and we have 
ever so many more days to hunt in.” 

Beatrice sustained her courage through 
many a disappointment which followed in 
their searches. They made many excursions 
to the edge of the forest, but at last they real- 
ized that they were wasting their time there 
working in the hot sun. None of the rarer 
species flew so near the ground. 

** If we had arms long enough to catch the 
butterflies that fly about on top of the forest, 
there might be some use trying,” Jean said as 
they rubbed the cold cream upon their sun- 
burned noses. 

I guess we’ll have to spend our time get- 
ting moths,” Beatrice decided. 


256 A Little Princess of the Patio 

So they went no more to the forest, but 
nightly continued to prowl about the gardens, 
hopefully awaiting the rare goblin moth,^^ as 
Dr. Trumbull called it, which would bring 
such a good price. 

** More moths come to your garden, after all, 
Beatrice,'' Jean observed, even if it isn't so 
large." 

Dr. Trumbull told them that this was be- 
cause of the datura tree which grew there. 
Moths seek its sweet-scented trumpet blos- 
soms very eagerly. 

Pedro and Escipibn kept up an astonishing 
interest in the quest, but there were evenings 
when they lounged somewhat passively upon 
the garden seats and had to be enlivened by 
something to eat. 

“ I'll give them a whole pineapple," Bea- 
trice said one night when she and Jean were 
more reluctant than usual to go in because 
there were so many moths about the reflect- 
ors. 

She ran into the house to get it, and while 


257 


A New Quest 

she was gone the “ goblin moth — unmistak- 
ably the long awaited visitor — flew straight to 
Jean’s reflector. Jerk went her net string, 
and in a few minutes the beautiful creature 
was in her hands. She scrutinized the weird 
black markings which gave it its name, and 
when she had made sure that there could be no 
mistake, she excitedly told Pedro and Escipidn 
to lower Beatrice’s reflector. She knew that 
Beatrice would never accept the moth from 
her. 

In a trice the moth was transferred to the 
other net and the lamp was back upon its 
post. Breathlessly Jean cautioned Escipidn 
and Pedro to silence, then holding the net 
closed, she called for Beatrice to come. Just 
before she reached the lamp, Jean loosened 
the string, knowing that the moth would not 
fly away from the light. 

^^The goblin moth!” Beatrice cried ecstat- 
ically when she saw. ** It is, it is, and to 
think that it came to my lamp 1 ” 

She jerked the string of her net and had 


258 A Little Princess of the Patio 

the joy of capturing the treasure with her 
own hands. 

I knew if I just kept on that Fd catch 
it,” she said with a little sob of excitement, 
and in Beatrice’s great joy Jean had her re- 
ward. 


CHAPTER XIV 


IN STRANGE GUISE 

A' PRIZE for a moth is beautiful,” Beatrice 
said, the day after she had spent the money 
upon a gift for her mother. ‘‘Mother loves 
her new dress, and she was as surprised and 
pleased as could be. She kissed me three 
times and cried — only not the way that 
makes her head ache. But I keep thinking 
about all the other things she needs and wish 
I could catch a million moths. I wish father 
could get rich again, so she would be happy.” 

“ I heard Father Dick say that your father 
has more business ability than most men, 
Beatrice, so I donT see why he canT make all 
the money he wants to and have as much as 
he ever had, if he chooses.” 

“ My mother says he^s lost confidence in 
himself because he lost his money once, and 
that's why he can't get rich again. He's 
259 


26o a Little Princess of the Patio 

afraid of the future, she says, instead of being 
sure it will bring what he wants. I wish she 
would talk to him about it instead of me, but 
she never does. She doesn’t want to say 
anything to make him feel sad. She waits 
until he goes away, then she cries and talks 
about how dreadful everything is to me. I 
do wish he wasn’t afraid of the future, if 
that’s what’s making all the trouble.” 

Is he afraid to venture, like Rosalia when 
she starts to speak English ? ” 

“Yes, because he starts things and then 
decides not to do them, just like Rosalia 
when she begins an English sentence, then 
stops, — afraid to go on because she doesn’t 
think she can say it properly.” 

“ It’s too bad you can’t buy confidence like 
sugar and put it into his coffee.” 

“ I wish I could, for I don’t know what’s 
going to become of us if he doesn’t make 
some more money soon. My dresses are all 
coming to pieces, and I’m wearing my last 
pair of old shoes.” 


In Strange Guise 261 

Beatrice reflectively poked the hole in the 
toe of one of her worn tan shoes. 

“ Don^t you care, Beatrice, — don’t think 
any more about your shoes. They’ll last long 
enough to wear to our visit to Pegasus, any- 
how.” 

“Are we really going?” asked Beatrice, 
brightening instantly. 

“ Yes, maybe we can go to-day. Father 
Dick said he would try to arrange it. I was 
just waiting here for him to come back, then 
I was going to come to tell you if we could 
go. You know Sehor Martinas said we could 
come any time.” 

“ I don’t s’pose we’ll recognize Pegasus. I 
do hope he’ll be fat enough to ride.” 

Mr. Kingsley came into the patio while the 
two were making speculations about the 
prospective visit to Senor Martinas’s planta- 
tion. 

“ Put on your hats,” he said, waving his 
own gaily. 

“Oh, are we really going?” Jean cried, 


262 A Little Princess of the Patio 

jumping up and excitedly dragging Beatrice 
with her. 

“ Yes, and Felipe too.^^ 

“ But Felipe is in the hospital to have Dr. 
Trumbull examine him to-day. He is going 
to find out whether he can ever make Felipe 
straight or not.'' 

“ I met Dr. Trumbull as I was coming 
home, and he told me that he had already 
made the examination. He did not need to 
give Felipe an ansesthetic as he had expected, 
so it didn’t take very long.” 

“ Oh, what did he say ? ” 

I’ll let Felipe tell you himself — he’s com- 
ing as fast as he can up the road.” 

Felipe came into the patio so fast that it 
seemed as if his crutches hardly touched the 
ground. His face was radiant. 

I’m going to get cured of crutches ! ” he 
cried. Dr. Trumbull says he can do it fo’ 
sure.” 

Jean and Beatrice could not refrain from hug- 
ging each other and Felipe too in their delight. 


In Strange Guise 263 

You don^t mind my kissing you, do you, 
Felipe asked Beatrice, surveying him ques- 
tioningly. 

You’ve gone an’ done it already, so 
what’s the use of asking me whethah it’s agree- 
able or not ? ” returned Felipe whimsically. 

We’re ever so much older than you, 
Felipe — so you ought not to care,” soothed 
Jean. ‘*We just couldn’t help it, we’re so 
glad.” 

** Well, I reck’n it’s all right on special ’ca- 
sions like this, but I don’ know as I c’d make 
my mind^up to stan’ it ev’y day. You see 
I’m growin’ up, an’ I’ll be as big as either of 
you after I throw away my crutches.” 

“ Oh, Felipe, then you can whirl with us, 
and run with us ” 

And play baseball,” put in Beatrice. 

Yes, an’ go to the United States to school,” 
finished Felipe. That’s the best part of all ; 
for then I c’n learn to talk United States an’ 
be a sure enough United States person all 
around.” 


264 A Little Princess of the Patio 

" What will Dr. Trumbull have to do to 
make you straight ? questioned Beatrice, 
who always wished to know how everything 
was done. 

“ He has to do something with the knives 
he calls his tools, then I’ll have to stay in bed 
for a long time befo’ 1 c’n walk without my 
crutches ; but I don’ care, jus’ so he makes me 
straight like both of you.” 

He hurried about helping them to get 
ready, in high spirits over the prospective trip. 

I feel like Christmas and New Year’s and 
Fourth of July — it ought to be some kind of 
holiday,” Beatrice remarked as they started 
off along the road, which had so many fasci- 
nating turns. 

'' We might call it Felipe’s Day,” suggested 
Mr. Kingsley. “ It is certainly a day which 
means something to him and all his friends, 
a day of new promise for him.” 

“ I’ll celebrate this day every year, Felipe,” 
promised Jean, until you become a great 
man.” 



“it ought to be some kind of holiday 



In Strange Guise 265 

I reck’n that would he’p me consider- 
able to come outen the kinks an^ do some- 
thin’ wu’th while,” Felipe answered, serious 
for the moment over the thought of what 
new obligations would be his when he be- 
came sound and strong in body. 

Their spirits were too exuberant to dwell 
long upon serious subjects. Their laugh- 
ter grew merrier and merrier. They even 
laughed on when a sudden downpour came 
and drenched them all before they arrived 
at the plantation near the outskirts of the 
town. It was a regular downpour, which 
pelted the white coffee blossoms and brought 
out a delicious aroma from them. 

I can just smell them growing,” exclaimed 
Jean, as they drove through Senor Martinas’s 
acres. 

Senor Martinas’s first duty to his guests 
was to provide them with dry clothes, and 
many were the shrieks of amusement at the 
changes in one another’s appearance. 

Who said that clothes do not make the 


266 A Little Princess of the Patio 

man?” asked Mr. Kingsley, as he swaggered 
in, attired in a suit belonging to Sehor Mar- 
tinas. 

Oh, you do look so funny,” Jean cried as 
she surveyed him. 

His plaid trousers were very tight and the 
black jacket came just below his belt. A 
bright necktie gave color to his attire, and 
when he put on a gray beaver sombrero, 
gaudily embroidered in gold and silver flow- 
ers, he made a very dashing appearance 
indeed. 

“ Have you looked at your own self in the 
mirror?” asked Mr. Kingsley, as he appreci- 
atively noted the details of Jean’s emergency 
costume. 

You look just like a fortune-teller, Jean,” 
Beatrice said, laughingly pulling Jean to the 
long gilt-framed mirror in the sala. 

Senora Martinas had given Jean a dress 
which she had worn, as she explained, when 
she was just married and wished to look her 
prettiest. The red gown was embroidered 


In Strange Guise 267 

with gilt, which had long ago lost its lustre, 
and the skirt, threadbare in places, limply 
trailed about Jean's heels, for it was much 
too long for her. Despite its age the dress 
retained a certain air of jauntiness. 

“ I don't feel like doing every-day things 
in this dress — I know it has had thrilling 
experiences." 

Senora Martinas helped Jean to wind her 
braids with bright ribbons, then with a man- 
tilla thrown over her head Jean paraded the 
sala in high delight at being dressed in such 
interesting clothes. 

Beatrice herself had on the only short dress 
Senora Martinas had stored away as a souvenir 
of her married daughter's juvenile wardrobe. 
It was a thin pink dress trimmed with coarse 
tan-colored lace. 

“ I've had lots of tucks and ruffles on my 
clothes, but never so many as these," com- 
mented Beatrice as she ran her finger over the 
rows and rows of flounces and tiny tucks. 

Felipe was provided with a black velvet suit 


268 A Little Princess of the Patio 


which had belonged to the son of the house- 
hold. Felipe looked askance at the lace col- 
lar and cuffs, but Jean and Beatrice called 
them ** dear.^' 

It was time for the noon meal, comida, be- 
fore their own clothes were dry, and the meal 
was an hilarious one, for the four guests could 
not look at one another without laughing. 

Sehor Martinas insisted that they must all 
drink some of the coffee made from the berries 
he himself had raised. While they were sip- 
ping it appreciatively, he told them a little of 
what it means to have a good cup of coffee. 
To raise coffee, he declared, was a liberal edu- 
cation in itself. 

He took them out after the meal was over, 
and proudly showed them the rows and rows 
of shrub-like coffee trees to which he devoted 
so much care. 

** Why do you plant other trees with them ? ” 
Jean asked interestedly. 

Then Sehor Martinas explained that coffee 
trees are very much like spoiled children, — > 


In Strange Guise 269 

they have to have things just as they wish or 
they can’t be made to do what they should. 
They do not like too much sun, so they must 
be screened carefully by other trees, which act 
as solicitous attendants and allow just the re- 
quired amount of sunlight to reach the royally 
exacting coffee trees. Then, when the matter 
of shade is disposed of, the coffee trees keep 
every one in a state of anxiety from the time 
they flower until the berries ripen. The 
branches are brittle, and often break if there 
are too many berries on them. The berries 
ripen in true unhurried, indefinite Mexican 
fashion, just as they please, a few at a time. 
Once turned to a certain shade of red, how- 
ever, they demand that they shall be picked 
instantly, or their flavor will be spoiled. And 
when they are picked — ^here Senor Martinas 
lifted his shoulders with an expressive move- 
ment — if pickers are not politely soft-fingered 
and dare to snatch them instead of twisting 
them off, then no more berries will ever deign 
to grow on that branch. 


270 


A Little Princess of the Patio 


Some men say that managing womankind 
is the hardest problem in the world, but 
surely,” declared Sehor Martinas, “ these men 
have never tried to raise coffee.” 

He showed them the machine called the dis- 
pulper, where the outer skin is removed from 
the berries. Out of each berry comes two 
beans with a slippery coating of a honey-like 
substance. After this ferments the beans are 
washed. It is a long process before beans are 
quite clean and ready to dry. 

Then Sehor Martinas very proudly showed 
them his ^^secadero,” an expensive machine 
for drying the beans by artificial heat. He 
needed no longer to worry over the weather 
and spend his days at the asoleadero,” where 
he used to put his coffee to dry in the sun. 
Those were tiresome days, when he had to 
watch, watch to see that his workers turned 
the beans over often enough so that it would 
dry evenly. It was hard work even now with 
this machine. 

Jean had been keeping count of the various 


In Strange Guise 271 

processes, and when Sehor Martinas went on 
to mention hulling, roasting and grinding, 
which had to be gone through with before 
coffee could be boiled for the table, she gave a 
gasp of awe. 

“ 1^11 never drink another cup of coffee 
without thinking of the eight things 
which have to be done to it before it is 
ready.^^ 

Felipe was properly interested in all this 
knowledge about coffee, but he was more eager 
for a glimpse of Pegasus, so he brought the 
conversation around to that worthy animal as 
soon as could be. 

When the mozo led Pegasus forth for their 
inspection, they could scarcely believe that it 
was the same horse they had rescued such a 
short time ago. No longer could they see the 
gaunt outline of all his bones, and his coat 
was as shiny’as any well-cared for horse might 
wish. His eyes bore a new expression, which 
Felipe was quick to note. 

“ He’s not scared of livin’ any mo’, an’ I 


272 A Little Princess of the Patio 

believe he actually looks forward to the nex^ 
day now/’ 

The storm had cleared and they took turns 
riding Pegasus about the plantation. They 
soon discovered that there was room for 
two and even three at intervals on his back, 
now quite broad and comfortable. 

Mr. Kingsley and Sehor Martinas left them 
to wander as they pleased and they soon ex- 
plored the whole plantation, getting ac- 
quainted with many of the peons who were 
busy at work. After a while they found 
themselves at the end of the road which met 
the main highway. The wider road looked 
so smooth and inviting that they decided 
they must have a gallop upon it before they 
turned back. 

You and Felipe go first,” Jean said to 
Beatrice, and I’ll sit here on this big stone 
and wait for you.” 

^^You can pretend you’re a fortune-teller 
to amuse yourself if any one comes along,” 
suggested Beatrice. 


273 


In Strange Guise 

“ If only some one would happen to come/^ 
Jean exclaimed eagerly, “ I’d try it, just for 
fun.” 

Pegasus ambled away with his double bur- 
den, and Jean settled herself by the road- 
side, trying to imagine as she rearranged 
her ‘‘ rebozo ” around her back and arms, 
how it would seem really to be a fortune- 
teller. 

It was not long before she saw a horseman 
coming in the opposite direction, and her 
heart jumped. Here was her opportunity ! 
She hastily drew her mantilla about her head 
until nothing was visible except her eyes. 
She glanced at her hands desperately. Brown 
as they were, they were not brown enough. 
She snatched some ground berries and rubbed 
the dark juice quickly over her hands. The 
stain, with generous smudges of dust, made 
quite a transformation. The bangled brace- 
lets which Sehora Martinas had put about her 
wrists served, Jean thought, to complete the 
disguise. 


274 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Jean noticed that the traveler’s head was 
bowed, and as he rode slowly nearer, she saw 
that he was oblivious to his surroundings. 
His hat was pulled well over his eyes and 
it was not until he was very close to her that 
Jean recognized him as Beatrice’s father, Mr. 
Paxton. 

For a moment she hesitated. Would he 
recognize her ? She stepped out into the road 
and held out her hands, repeating in a feigned 
voice an old gypsy rigmarole she had learned 
when she was a very little girl from that per- 
sonage, the seventh daughter of a gypsy queen 
who had once presented herself at the back 
door-step of their little Payneville home. 

Startled from his deep thought, Mr. Paxton 
drew quick rein and gave a searching glance 
at the unusual figure before him. Then, half 
smiling, as if at himself for his apparent cre- 
dulity, he drew out a piece of silver, crossed 
Jean’s hand with it, then signified his willing- 
ness to have his fortune told.” 

He dismounted and came to sit in the 


275 


In Strange Guise 

shade while she pretended to lift the veil of 
the future for him. Jean noticed how lined 
his forehead had become, how much older he 
looked than when she first knew him in Ton- 
opah only two years before. 

He scarcely looked at her as, with head bent 
low, she mumbled her spells over his palm. 
Perhaps he had only wanted to rest, she 
thought — he did not care at all to hear what 
she had to say. She would make him care, 
she determined suddenly, as she recalled what 
Beatrice had told her about her father. She 
would make his future so glowing that he 
would want to hear it. 

In a voice she flattered herself he could not 
possibly recognize as hers Jean went on to 
tell him in a mixture of broken English and 
Spanish something of the past, then of the 
wonders which the future held for him. Sefior 
had lived in the United States. There he had 
known much wealth. He had a little girl 
whom he loved much and he gave her every 
thing she wished. 


276 A Little Princess of the Patio 

At this point Mr. Paxton smiled as he stole 
another quick glance at the fortune-teller. 

Sefior was now without much gold, Jean 
went on, but he had no reason to be afraid of 
the future. 

Afraid ? repeated Mr. Paxton, laughing 
shortly, and half withdrawing his hand as if 
denying her implication. 

But Jean chattered on unheeding. What 
Sehor wished was his for the taking, she said 
— much gold, oh, gold beyond counting — or 
anything he chose to put out his hand for. 
Senor was born to lead, to accomplish won- 
ders. The fates had given him power. He 
had but to use it to bring fortune's showers to 
his feet. Few men were born so lucky as 
Sefior. Truly there would be the dawning of 
a golden to-morrow for him. All ill fortune 
for him was in the past. A change — some- 
thing which he held in his own power — she 
saw clearly in his palm. 

Mr. Paxton listened, giving a little chuckle 
now and then. 


In Strange Guise 277 

When Jean had exhausted her supply of 
Spanish and prophesied every possible good 
fortune for the future, he put another coin 
into her hand and remounted his horse. He 
rode away rapidly, and as Jean watched him 
turn at a crossing of the roads, she thought 
he turned back and waved his hand at her. 
Surely not, she decided — nobody waved at 
fortune-tellers. Thrilled by her new experi- 
ence, she waited eagerly for Felipe and 
Beatrice to return. How surprised they 
would be to find that she had really told 
some one’s fortune ! And all the more when 
they found out whose. 

It was a merry trio that talked things over 
in the patio that evening. It had been such 
a long, happy day. 

“ If all Felipe’s Days are like this. I’ll wait 
for them to come just as I wait for Christmas, 
and draw a red line around them in my 
calendar, which means the most beautiful 
day that could be,” Jean said enthusias- 
tically. 


278 A Little Princess of the Patio 


If we could only have brought our bor- 
rowed clothes home with us,” sighed Beatrice. 

Humph,” scorned Felipe, I had jes’ 
about enough of mine.” 

“ rd like to have mine as a souvenir of the 
first time I was ever a fortune-teller,” re- 
marked Jean. “ It was the greatest fun ; and 
just to think your father didn^t know 
me ” 

Mr. Paxton came shortly to take Beatrice 
home, and he gave Jean a quizzical smile 
when he greeted her. 

** The last time I saw you, you were in the 
guise of a missionary,” he said laughing at 
her puzzled expression. 

A missionary ? ” she repeated vaguely. 

“ Yes, when you told my fortune.” 

“Why, I thought you didnT know me,” 
exclaimed Jean, much surprised and crest- 
fallen. 

“ I knew you the moment I looked at you, 
and I thought it would be amusing to see 
how well you could act the part of a fortune- 


In Strange Guise 279 

teller. I was on my way to complete a big 
business contract, — large for me, that is, — 
since I have so little money to do anything 
with — and I was about to withdraw because I 
was afraid of the outcome. You reawakened 
something of my old confidence in myself, 
and I closed the transaction without any 
hesitancy. I believe it will come out all 
right. It may mean a big step to better 
things for me. Anyhow, I am going to 
expect nothing but good luck from now on 
and act accordingly. The world has nothing 
to give a man who’s afraid of it. Sometimes 
a very little happening serves as a turning- 
point, and my meeting you to-day proved a 
blessing to me.” 

I didn’t suppose a fortune-teller could 
ever be a missionary,” Jean said slowly. 

Sometimes missionaries come in strange 
guise,” Mr. Paxton answered, drawing Bea- 
trice close. 


CHAPTER XV 


THE FLOWER-HOUSE 

Before we go back to the United States 
we must see the Flower-house,” Mr. Kingsley 
said, as he and Jean were studying the map 
of Mexico and deciding where to go on their 
farewell trip. 

^^That sounds like a conservatory,” Jean 
commented, interested at once. 

IPs nothing remotely resembling a con- 
servatory. IPs a pyramid — the most beau- 
tiful in Mexico.” 

** I donT see what could be in a pyramid to 
make people call it a Flower-house. A pyra- 
mid is made of stone.” 

Jean was disappointed, but a little of her 
interest revived when her father told her that 
the pyramid had been dedicated by the Az- 
tecs to Xochiquetzal, their goddess of love 
and flowers. 


280 


The Flower-House 281 

“ Her name signifies the Flower-quetzal,’^ 
said Mr. Kingsley, or the brilliant-plumaged 
bird, the trogon. So the pyramid itself came 
to be called Xochicalli, the Flower-house.” 

Jean’s father looked at her curiously, try- 
ing to fathom her passive attitude. 

“Don’t you want to see it?” he asked. 
“ If you don’t care for the Flower-house be- 
cause it is made of stone, you will at least 
like the Flower-field, or Lake Xochimilco, 
near Mexico, where the floating gardens are. 
There are flowers there, plenty of them. 
Don’t you want to go?” 

Jean looked around her patio silently for a 
few minutes. 

“ I’d like to go if I could take my patio 
with me. I love it so I just can’t bear to 
think of leaving it.” 

“ We have to learn to find beauty in the 
world and to leave it as well. If we take the 
spirit of it with us, we’ll find other manifes- 
tations of beauty wherever we go.” 

This was not very comforting to Jean. 


282 A Little Princess of the Patio 


Y-yes/’ she answered slowly, '' I suppose 
beauty is everywhere, and it isn’t as if I 
should never see anything beautiful again 
when I leave my patio. Of course there will 
be wonderful things to see in Mexico City 
and Cuernavaca and all the other places we 
shall go to when we take our trip, but I 
can’t feel the same about them. My patio 
belongs to me. 1 helped to make it beau- 
tiful. That makes it different from other 
places. It’s beautiful, and it’s mine.” 

Jean gave a glance of passionate tenderness 
at the flowers which she had petted and rear- 
ranged so many times, then at the vine she 
had coaxed to twine about the fountain. 

** Another thing that makes me love my 
patio so much is because I’ve thought so 
much in it,” she went on, “ and a place a 
person thinks in isn’t like other places. I’ve 
had so many new kinds of nice thoughts in 
my patio.” 

Perhaps they are growing-up thoughts,” 
suggested her father, smiling. “ Do you real- 


The Flower-House 


283 

ize that you are almost as tall as your mother 
was ? I shall have a grown-up daughter be- 
fore I know it/^ 

^^I’m taller than Beatrice, and she’s eight 
months older than I am,” Jean stated proudly, 
pointing at some scratches upon the wall. 

We measure every week, and put the marks 
there. Another reason I don’t want to go 
away is because I’ll have to leave Beatrice. 
She has made herself so beautiful.” 

“ Beautiful ? ” questioned Mr. Kingsley, 
somewhat bewildered. 

I don’t mean outside — of course she isn’t 
pretty to look at, but what she thinks is 
lovely. I don’t want to go away from her.” 

Invite her to go with us.” 

Jean shook her head gloomily. 

It wouldn’t be any use — her mother 
wouldn’t let her go unless Beatrice could pay 
for everything herself. I just hate to tell her 
I’m going. I’ve put it off as long as I could, 
but I’ll have to tell her when she comes to- 
day.” 


284 A Little Princess of the Patio 

When Beatrice came to make her visit at 
Jean^s patio that day, she did not enter with 
her usual skipping step. She walked in 
sedately, with a certain dignity which was 
quite new. 

Isn't it queer ? " she asked, with shining 
eyes. 

“Your new dress, do you mean, Beatrice? 
Why, I think it's the prettiest dress you ever 
had," Jean declared enthusiastically, as she 
surveyed Beatrice's attire. 

“ I don't mean that my dress is queer — I 
mean the way I feel in it. I used to feel like 
switching my skirts and tossing my head, but 
it's different now. You'd think I'd feel 
prouder than ever, wouldn't you, since I've 
not had a new dress for such ages ? It makes 
me solemn instead, because it reminds me of 
how silly I used to be about my pretty clothes. 
Now that I can have all the new dresses I 
want again, I don't care so much about them. 
I've found out about other things to enjoy 
while I had to go without clothes." 


The Flower-House 285 

“ Can you really have all the new things 
you want now, Beatrice?’’ Jean questioned 
eagerly. 

That’s what my father told me to-day.” 

Then you must be rich again.” 

We are — that is, we’re getting rich as fast 
as we can be, he says. Everything is turning 
out well for him now.” 

Jean could scarcely wait to tell their plans 
for the trip. 

Now maybe you can go with us,” she 
suggested excitedly, “ and we’ll see the 
Flower-house together after all.” 

It was a very enthusiastic Beatrice who 
started out on the trip a few days later. 

** Going places is a lot more fun when you’ve 
stayed at home for a long time, isn’t it? I 
used to hate to travel on the train, but now 
even this dusty hot car seems nice to me.” 

The delays and general discomfort of travel- 
ing in Mexico did not affect Beatrice nor Jean 
in the least, and when they arrived in Mexico 


286 A Little Princess of the Patio 


City they were eager to start out at once for 
sightseeing. Cousin Rachel, who was carried 
away herself by the first brilliant impressions 
of the place, consented to go and, best of all, 
to walk, because they could see things better. 

** Why, there are electric cars and automo- 
biles and people in a hurry j ust like in some 
United States city,^^ exclaimed Jean in sur- 
prise. “ I thought the city would be about 
petrified by this time ; it was started in 1522. 
I’ve counted ever so many American signs.” 

And the shop-windows — look at them. 
There’s more finery than I could ever have 
worn if I’d stayed Beatrice number one all 
my life,” Beatrice remarked as they passed 
some very modern looking shops. 

The city certainly hasn’t a Mexican at- 
mosphere,” commented Cousin Rachel, noting 
the smartly dressed occupants in some of the 
victorias that whirled along the street. 

It is getting to be less Mexican every 
year,” said Mr. Kingsley. The cabmen are 
even discarding their sombreros.” 


The Flower-House 287 

When they had walked until they were 
tired, Mr. Kingsley suggested that they take 
an automobile and join the line which moved 
toward the Paseo, where people were throng- 
ing and the bands were playing as usual late 
in the afternoon. 

The interests of the Paseo seemed never- 
ending. Jean and Beatrice were in high ex- 
citement from the Alameda, at one end, to the 
Chapultepec gardens at the other. Only once 
at this farther end to the Paseo did they feel 
any sense of the antiquity of the place. There 
a cypress grove gave an air of mystery and 
romance to the scene. High flower-decked 
rocks led up to the Castle of Chapultepec, 
which is picturesque enough to satisfy the most 
exacting spectator. 

** I think some one interesting ought to live 
there,^^ Jean said. ‘‘ It ought to be the home 
of dozens of lords and counts and princesses, 
instead of just a president.’^ 

They had their supper in a cafe at the base 
of Chapultepec, which is several miles out of 


288 A Little Princess of the Patio 

the city, and then indeed did they forget that 
they were in Mexico. 

The cooking — what kind is it? inquired 
Jean appreciatively. 

“ It’s the cooking such as only the best cos- 
mopolitan cafes offer,” Mr. Kingsley answered, 
and it’s said to be the only place in Mexico 
City where one can get a meal perfectly pre- 
pared ; so make the most of it.” 

It did not take Jean and Beatrice long to tire 
of the great metropolis. They saw and duly 
approved the cathedrals, the National Palace, 
the shrine of Guadalupe, and all the rest of the 
places which the guide-book said were places 
of interest, but they were glad when their 
sightseeing took them away from so much 
noise and bustle. 

As her father predicted, Jean was delighted 
with the Flower-field. The natives took them 
in low flat boats for a tour along the ditches 
which led into Lake Xochimilco, noted for its 
floating gardens, as the hundreds of islands 
covered with luxuriant tropical growth were 


t 


The Flower-House 289 

called. Some of the smaller islands looked 
like detached flower-beds lying lightly poised 
on the water, and it did not require much im- 
agination to fancy that they might float away 
at any moment. They saw trees and vegeta- 
ble gardens as well as flowers on the larger 
islands, and their boat met many others laden 
with melons and various things for the mar- 
ket. The wider expanses of water were cov- 
ered with lavender pistacias, with here and 
there clumps of rushes and tufts of water- 
grass. 

The village of Xochimilco is as primitive as 
the capital is modern, and their quaint cus- 
toms were all the more interesting to Jean and 
Beatrice because they presented such a con- 
trast to the life they saw so near at hand in 
Mexico City. 

They became impatient to see the Flower- 
house, which had somehow come to have the 
foremost place in their thoughts, and before 
many days the party left Mexico City for 
Cuernavaca. 


290 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Cousin Rachel was charmed with the clean- 
liness of Cuernavaca. 

I can enjoy the beauty of a place so much 
more when it is clean/’ she said, appreciatively 
scrutinizing the streets from the azotea or flat 
roof of their hotel. She preferred, she said, to 
look at the little mountains from the azotea, 
so she did not go with them upon their expe- 
dition to the pyramid at Xochicalco — the 
Flower-house. 

Their journey there, first by train for a lit- 
tle way southward from Cuernavaca, then on 
horseback from San Vincente for four hours, 
served to whet Jean’s and Beatrice’s interest. 

When they saw the beautiful pyramid built 
upon one of the limestone hills, it was hard 
for them to stop for the luncheon prepared for 
the party by the old Indian guard whose hut 
was near by. 

The chicken and papayas are too good to 
pass by,” declared Mr. Kingsley. 

He went on eating for what seemed an inter- 
minable time to the two impatient girls. 



THEY CEIMBEl^ TO THE TOP 







The Flower-House 291 

'' He's even going to eat the tortillas," noted 
Jean, despairingly to Beatrice, who was eagerly 
looking out of the tiny grass hut door at the 
pyramid. 

Let's go on ahead," suggested Beatrice. 

There was no objection to their doing a lit- 
tle exploring of their own, provided, the old 
Indian told them in a mixture of three or four 
languages, that they did not take any of the 
pyramid away for souvenirs. 

Jean and Beatrice were soon exploring the 
huge square pyramid. 

“ It's built like a one-storied house with a 
basement," Jean said, as they climbed to the 
top by means of a staircase thirty feet wide. 

They were studying the carving of snakes 
and feathers which appeared in varied forms 
upon almost every stone, when Mr. Kingsley 
came with the guard and they beset the old 
Indian with questions. Why was this carved 
man sitting cross-legged? And what did the 
rabbit and coyote mean ? And tied-up bun- 
dles ? They soon found that though the guard 


292 A Little Princess of the Patio 

had much to say, he really said nothing 
definite. They came to the conclusion that 
no one had ever found out exactly what all 
the tantalizing carving meant. 

We can just make up the stories to suit 
ourselves, Beatrice decided. 

They found several blocks of stone dis- 
lodged in the centre of the pyramid en- 
closure. In her curiosity to examine some of 
the carving Jean gave one of the smaller 
stones above her a mighty poke. She didn’t 
really expect it to move and she was sur- 
prised when it gave a sudden lurch. Some- 
thing underneath it was giving way. 

Beatrice was leaning over to look at an 
inscription. Jean gave a scream — the loosened 
stone was going to fall directly upon Beatrice. 
There was not time to get out of the way. 
The stone was large enough to injure her 
seriously. In a flash, Jean threw herself 
upon the bewildered Beatrice. Jean thought 
if the stone fell it would strike her first and 
Beatrice would not be hurt. 


The Flower-House 


293 


*^What are you playing questioned 
Beatrice in a smothered voice. “ Grizzly 
bear ? '’ 

Jean was surprised not to feel the instant 
crash of the stone. She twisted around and 
glanced up at it fearfully. Then she sat up 
in surprise. Some one had seen the tottering 
stone and was steadying it from the other side. 

Get out of the way,” called Mr. Kingsley 
anxiously. 

Jean allowed Beatrice to stagger to her feet, 
then pulled her in a place of safety. Once 
there, Beatrice demanded an explanation of 
Jean^s action, but Jean had nothing to say. 

‘‘You didnT fall on me just by accident,” 
Beatrice said decidedly. “ I could tell by the 
way you grabbed me. You did it on purpose 
to keep the stone from hitting me.” Beatrice 
seized Jean excitedly as the situation became 
clear to her. “ Why, Jean Kingsley, if the 
stone had fallen you might have been killed, 
and all for me.” 

Jean laughed at Beatrice's dramatic words. 


294 A Little Princess of the Patio 

** But the stone didn’t fall,” she said, and 
even if it had, I guess it wasn^t big enough to 
do much more than break my arm or some- 
thing like that.” 

** You said that just as if you were sorry it 
didn’t fall.” 

“ Well, I shouldn’t have minded a broken 
arm — much.” Jean was thinking of Tubby 
and what this lost opportunity meant. 

Beatrice looked at her quizzically, but had 
the good judgment not to pursue the subject. 

A few days later when they returned to 
Orizaba, Beatrice understood why Jean felt 
strangely reluctant to return to her patio. 

It’s for the last time,” Jean said sorrow- 
fully, and I’m not princess of my patio yet. 
I feel like a warrior returned from battle 
without any spoils. How can I ever expect 
to be a princess again if I don’t get the 
chance to do princess things ? ” 

** I thought you said Tubby had forgotten.” 

“ If I could do princess deeds then he’d 
have to remember.” 


CHAPTER XVI 


THE COKONATION 

The next time,” Tabby said severely to 
Jean, the next time you see a snake near 
me, leave it alone — let me take care of it.” 

He looked at Jean’s bandaged hand with a 
mixture of admiration and reproach. 

But you didn’t see it, and I did,” Jean 
answered without contrition. 

If you had let it alone it would have gone 
away. It would never have touched me 
while I was taking a nap. I don’t know 
whatever made me drop asleep when you 
went into the house for those pictures you got 
in Mexico City. You must have stayed a 
long time.” 

** You had eaten too much luncheon, 
maybe.” 

'' Maybe I had,” returned Tubby stiffly, 
295 


296 A Little Princess of the Patio 

“ but anyhow, I don’t need any protection 
when I’m asleep, no matter where I am, and 
I never want to be waked up again by seeing 
you whacking away at a snake and gettin’ 
bitten yourself instead of killin’ it. It just 
about scared me to death. I thought it was a 
real coral snake.” 

“ So did I, and that’s why I hit at it. I 
thought it was going to bite you. I don’t 
know as much about snake ways as you do, 
and how did I know it wouldn’t hurt you if 
you were still and didn’t bother it ? Anyhow 
you might have moved in your sleep.” 

** I don’t move around in my sleep,” Tubby 
held stubbornly. 

How do you know ? ” 

^^Aw — what’s the use of arguin’? You 
know very well I don’t like your riskin’ your 
life that way,” growled Tubby. 

But you saved mine once. Tubby — in 
Tonopah, don’t you remember? When the 

blast came while we were in the cave ” 

Pooh, that wasn’t anything. I just 


The Coronation 


297 

dragged you out of the way of the rocks 
and helped you get out of the cave.'^ 

If you had run away and left me, I'd 
have been killed. Besides, you didn't know 
but that some rocks would hit you too, when 
you stayed to get me." 

What’s the difference?" 

'‘There's a lot. It would be easy enough 
to save people if there wasn’t any risk for 
others connected with it — but there always is. 
You see, I am only trying to pay back.” 

“ Things like that aren't meant to be paid 
back," insisted Tubby, “ and don't you try it 
again. Why, if that snake had been a co- 
ralillo, for sure, you wouldn't be here talking 
with me now. There's no telling where 
you'd be. Coral snakes are so poisonous 
that sometimes nothing can be done to save 
a person that's bitten by one of 'em." 

“ Yes, but it wasn’t a coralillo, but a per- 
fectly harmless snake," returned Jean. 

“ Well, it might have been a coralillo, — it 
certainly looks like one." 


298 A Little Princess of the Patio 

With lowered brow, Tubby regarded the 
skin of the snake, which was stretched upon 
the wall. Escipidn had prepared the skin 
very carefully, insisting that Jean must take 
this fine specimen with her to the United 
States as a souvenir of the thrilling incident 
in the patio a few days after she had returned 
from her trip. 

When she was coming back to the patio 
with some pictures to show Tubby, she had 
seen what she thought was a poisonous coral 
snake creeping toward him, as he lay dozing 
on the serape. She had hit at it to kill it, but 
the snake had struck her instead, and Tubby, 
awakening with a start, had come to the rescue. 

“ IsnT it beautiful ? Jean asked, following 
his glance. The black and coral-red rings 
with the little yellow bands in between make 
it look so gay and bright. It looked like a 
circus snake when I saw it coming out of the 
flowers toward you.” 

*'If you had just let it alone,” grum- 
bled Tubby. There wasn’t any use of your 


The Coronation 299 

gettin^ bitten even if the snake wasn't 
poison." 

But the place where it struck me doesn't 
hurt at all. Dr. Trumbull knew just what to 
do for it, and I wouldn't know anything had 
happened to my hand if it weren't for this 
bandage." 

Well, I don't want you ever to get hurt 
for me again," asserted Tubby decisively. 

You might have known you couldn't hit 
the snake. Girls never can hit straight." 

I can hit straight," Jean flashed. It 
was just because I was so excited that I 
missed the snake." 

** There wasn't anything to be excited over." 

Jean didn't deign to reply. She stared at 
her bandage thoughtfully, while Tubby 
stormed up and down the patio walk. Truly 
boys were strange creatures ! She had tried 
to save Tubby's life — when it didn't need 
saving, to be sure — nevertheless there was 
no need for him to be so provoked with her 
for trying. He was horrid, she tliought, to 


300 A Little Princess of the Patio 

remind her that she hadn’t killed the snake. 
That was the worst part of it all — that Tubby 
had been the one to kill the snake after all. 
She gazed at the skin wistfully. 

Fate seemed against her. What an inglo- 
rious situation this was ! No matter how 
hard she tried, she couldn’t do a princess 
deed. Everything turned out wrong. She 
would have to leave without being princess 
of her patio after all. 

Do you feel able to have any more vis- 
itors?” Tubby asked, suddenly coming to a 
halt in his walk. 

'^Able?” Jean laughed. Of course, Tubby, 
for I’m perfectly well — I don’t feel at all as 
if I’d been bitten by a snake. There isn’t 
much time left to have visitors in my patio, 
so I want to have them all I can. Who’s 
coming ? ” 

“ Oh, I dunno — I have to go over to Mr. 
Paxton’s for your father, and I thought I 
might see Beatrice and I could bring her 
along with me when I come back.” 


The Coronation 301 

Yes, do bring Beatrice back with you, 
and Felipe and Lucio too, if you see them, 
and we’ll have a tea-party.” 

“ A tea-party would be nice,” Tubby said 
as he slowly rose to go. It’s a queer thing, 
isn’t it, how a fellow gets into the Mexican 
way of doing things? It takes me twice as 
long as it used to to get started anywhere.” 

Jean settled herself upon the serape to 
await his return. Amado came, fluttering 
about her, curiously picking at her bandage. 

It’s nothing, Amado,” Jean said gloomily. 

Every one who wears a bandage isn’t a 
hero.” 

She was half asleep when she was roused 
by the sound of Felipe’s jarana. Felipe had 
stationed himself in the outside entrance to 
play for the procession of visitors which 
Tubby led into the patio. 

Jean sat up and rubbed her eyes, wonder- 
ingly. Tubby had brought back not only Fe- 
lipe, Beatrice and Lucio, but Dr. Trumbull, 
Senor Vasquez, Mrs. Deane, the literary lady 


302 A Little Princess of the Patio 

and her father. Cousin Rachel appeared, smil- 
ing, in the sala door, as the guests entered 
the patio. 

** Are you ready ? '' Tubby questioned. 

“For the tea-party?” cried Jean, jumping 
up much disturbed. “ I didnT think you’d 
be back so soon, or that you would bring so 
many people. Where did you find them all? 
Why, you’ve hardly been gone at all. I can 
get it ready in a few minutes for Rosalia will 
help me.” 

“ Oh, bother the tea-party,” Tubby rejoined. 
“ I meant are you ready for your coronation ?” 

“My coronation?” gasped Jean. 

“ Yes — we’ve come to make you La Prin- 
cesita del Patio — princess of the patio,” Tubby 
answered with a fiourish. 

Jean looked at Tubby dubiously. 

“ You’re just joking,” she said with a weak 
attempt to see the humor of his jest. 

“ No, he’s not ; you’re goin’ to be princess of 
your patio now fo’ sure,” Felipe assured her. 

“ I told Tubby that he ought to have the 


The Coronation 303 

coronation long ago, but he wouldn^t do it,” 
Beatrice said, casting a dark glance at Tubby 
with whom she had had numerous consulta- 
tions on the subject during the last few weeks, * 
but after the snake hurt you, he decided.” 

But the snake wasn't a coralillo,” Jean 
protested. 

“ You thought it was a coralillo — and that’s 
just the same thing as if it were,” Tubby 
replied. “ It’s not what people do always, 
but what they’re willing to do that counts. 

I have a number of willing-to-do-deeds of 
yours on my list.” 

Your list ? ” 

** Yes, — what do you think I’ve been doin' 
all these weeks ? Did you think I’d forgotten 
about it? I’ve been payin’ mighty close at- 
tention to what you’ve been doing, and I’ve 
put down everything, so’s to be sure I’d keep 
count right.” 

He put down your saving me from the 
rock at the Flower-house,” Beatrice informed 
her enthusiastically. 


304 A Little Princess of the Patio 

But I didn't save you " 

That's one of the willing-to-do deeds, 
Jean, and there are a lot more." 

“The others?" faltered Jean. “There are 
no others except, maybe, saving the twins, 
and any one would have done the same." 

“ I can name another," put in Sefior Vasquez. 

“ And I," chimed in Mrs. Deane. “ Many 
of them." 

“ Have you put down that Jean let my 
father ' pass on ' ? " questioned Felipe. 

“ I have that down and a lot more," Tubby 
replied ; “ a long string of 'em." 

He held out his note-book triumphantly. 
Jean snatched it unceremoniously and scanned 
the contents with flushed cheeks. 

“ But they are such little things," she cried 
as she read. She noted the incident of the 
moth, and looked around reproachfully for 
Pedro and Escipidn, who had evidently told 
Tubby about it. 

“ ' Little drops of water,' and so forth," hu- 
morously quoted Dr. Trumbull who, with the 


The Coronation 


305 

others, had been listening interestedly to the 
discussion. 

How long does it take to crown a prin- 
cess ? Mr. Kingsley asked, looking at his 
watch. “ I have an appointment in a few 
minutes.” 

And the tea is getting cold,” said Cousin 
Rachel with a word of direction aside to 
Rosalia, who was hovering in the back- 
ground. 

For answer Tubby took the wreath of 
orchids which Beatrice was holding carefully, 
and put it upon Jean’s head as she stood by 
the fountain in the centre of the patio with 
Amado on her shoulder. 

Now you are La Princesita del Patio,” he 
announced solemnly, ^*and no princess ever 
deserved her name any more than you do.” 

Jean held out her hands with a quick 
movement, and her eyes filled with sudden 
tears ; then she ran to her father’s arms. 

Oh, you’ll ruin your wreath,” protested 
Beatrice, ^^and it took me hours to make it.” 


3o6 a Little Princess of the Patio 

made one first, but Beatrice said it 
wouldn't do," Tubby remarked. 

Here it is," Beatrice said, producing 
Tubby's effort. I brought it along to show 
you." 

Tubby's ludicrous attempt at a coronal 
triumph set every one laughing. Felipe in- 
sisted that Tubby must wear it in to the feast 
which Cousin Rachel had prepared for the 
event. 

Lucio solemnly placed upon the table some 
panoche, or sugar paste, wrapped in Indian 
corn husks. He could think of no offering 
which the princess could like better than this 
crude confectionery they had bought so often 
together at the market, and he insisted that 
she should taste it before she sat down to the 
table. 

“Come back ! " exclaimed Beatrice, who was 
the last to come in. “ There's a rainbow ! " 

They all hurried out again for a moment 
and there they saw a beautiful “ arco-iris," 
curving above the patio. 


The Coronation 


307 


A good omen for La Princesita,” said 
Senor Vasquez, and they all clapped their 
hands, and as Jean looked up at the splendid 
rainbow she thought that she could never 
have a happier moment in her life. 


CHAPTER XVII 


ADIOS 

** SeS'orita, es de dia (It is day). 

Jean always liked this way Rosalia had of 
telling her that it was time to get up, and 
when she heard Rosalia saying it for the last 
time, Jean’s heart was very heavy and she 
reluctantly propped herself on her elbow. 
There was not time, however, for waking 
dreams. Mr. Kingsley had planned an early 
departure, and as Rosalia, as usual, had over- 
slept, and made her announcement that it was 
day after most people had become well accus- 
tomed to the light, there was a general scurry 
to get ready in time. 

** What was the use of being crowned prin- 
cess of my patio when I have to leave it right 
away?” Jean asked, as she sorrowfully took 
leave of that beloved place. 

It was better to be La Princesita del Patio 
308 


Adios 


309 


for two days than not at all, wasn^t it?” 
Tubby responded with something of his old 
mischief in his eyes, and you know if you'd 
never become princess of your patio you might 
have lost the name altogether. Besides now, 
you can be a princess without any question 
the next place you go.” 

“ I don’t care about any next place just 
now,” Jean said, reluctantly rearranging a pet 
lily for the last time. 

“ But there will be a next place — there al- 
ways is, whether we want it or not. You’ll be 
going to school again, and your father told me 
about his plan to take a trip in a private car 
some time soon. If he takes you along you’ll 
be bound to have a good time. My next place 
will be Velardena — I’m going to have a place 
in the smelter there. Maybe when you see 
me again I’ll be a full-fledged mining man — 
who knows? ” 

When you see me again,” Felipe chimed 
in, '' I’ll not have any crutches. I’m goin’ to 
the hospital to-morrow to have my operation.” 


310 A Little Princess of the Patio 

Jean clung to Beatrice's hand all the way to 
the station. She could not say a word as they 
drove past the market and she caught the last 
glimpse of the yellow maize, the bright red 
chili, the black beans in gourds, side by side 
with the baskets of rainbow-hued orchids and 
gardenias. Each familiar street of Orizaba 
breathed a sweet adios to her. 

Not until Jean saw the green-hued gulf 
waters again did she cease to hear that echo 
caressingly repeated, “ Adios — adios.” 

As their boat pushed off and the last tropical 
land fragrance floated out to her, she heard 
another echo which thrilled her with mingled 
triumph and longing : 

** La Princesita del Patio.” 


Other Stories in this Series are : 

A LITTLE PRINCESS OF TONOPAH 
A LITTLE PRINCESS OF THE PINES 
A LITTLE PRINCESS OF THE RIO GRANDE 

( In press ) 


























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